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OUR WEDDING GIFTS 


BY 


AMANDA M. DOUGLAS 


Author OP “Stephen Dane,” “In Trust,” “Nelly Kinnard’3 Kingdom,” 
“From Hand to Mouth,” etc., etc. 



THE AUTHOES’ PUBLISHING COIMPANT 

BOND STREET 




O' 


Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1878, by 
THE AUTHORS’ PUBLISHING COMPANY, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 


OUR WEDDING- GIFTS. 


CHAPTER L 

A QUIET wedding,” I said, ‘^^and a pleasant little 
tour.” 

A quiet wedding ! ” and Elizabeth, looked up re- 
proachfully, continuing, with impressive dignity, I 
believe, Adolphus, I am the proper jmrty to decide about 
the wedding. I must say it would be very ungrateful 
to aunt, after all her kindness, to go off to church like 
any common person, and then your friends are excused 
from sending in wedding ^presents. Aunt has made so 
many, and has no daughter of her own to receive them in 
return ! I must say it would be extremely short sighted, 
and unjust, and cruel,” her voic'e rising with every ex- 
pletive, ^^to deprive me of the pleasure. If I can’t be 
married as I like, I won’t be married at all ! There ! ” 
and Elizabeth dropped her face in her lace handkerchief. 

My dear,” I began, wonderingly. 

‘^Wedding presents enough to set us up for life! 
Solid silver, and glass, and bronzes, and — and laces, and 
oh, I do hope there will be lots of things,” sobbed Eliz- 
abeth, and you are very selfish and ” — 

( 3 ) 


4 


OTIR WJ^BDINO GIFTS. 


I went around to my charmer, amazed at the violent 
storm I had innocently evoked, and strove to pacify her 
by promising that she should have everything just as 
she liked, and that I would be married — in one of the 
public parks, I was about to add — but she glanced up 
smilingly, and peace was restored. 

A wedding in church, with a regular crush recep- 
tion. I shall ask everybody to the house that I consider 
good for any reasonable gift.” 

I was a little bewildered by this, but replied, meekly, 
that she must know best, since my experience of fashion- 
able society was limited. 

‘^You dear Adolphus!” and she gave me a kiss. 

You have such a good temper ! I really must take 
lessons of you.” 

I said my adieus presently, and walked down the 
street in a thoughtful mood. In a month I should be a 
Benedick. 

As a veracious chronicler, I must confess that my en- 
gagement had been so great a surprise to myself that I 
could hardly think it an actual event. I was five-and- 
thirty ; I had indulged in a few romantic dreams in the 
days of my youth and poverty; and later in life, when I 
began to get in easier circumstances, I settled to a pleas- 
ant ideal, to be compassed when I had made money 
enough to retire to a small farm. The shaded porch on 
which I should sit and smoke ; the cosy library, where I 
would spend the winter evenings penning experiences 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


5 


for some rural paper ; the gentle, meditative pony on 
whose hack I should disport myself, and a vague, sug- 
gestive figure in white, mostly, with a blue ribbon about 
her fair neck, whose light step, soft touch, low voice, 
tender brown eyes, etc., etc. 

I had met Miss Elizabeth Yon Trump now and then 
in society, and she had kindly invited me to the grand 
Von Trump mansion. To be sure my position as junior 
partner in the old firm of Trask, Keep & Co. entitled 
me to rather more consideration than the situation of 
bookkeeper merely. But the Yon Trumps were Fifth 
avenue people, and Miss Yon Trump had been abroad, 
spent winters at Washington and summers at every 
known watering place. She became so extremely affable, 
insisting that I should accompany her aunt and herself to 
places of amusement when uncle Yon Trump was in 
Albany or Washington on political business. This at- 
tention from a woman who had crowds of adorers at her 
feet, was undeniably flattering. She led me to talk 
confidentially of myself ; and one evening, when I had 
ventured to air a few of my ideas concerning love and 
marriage — the subject in hand — she suddenly raised her 
eyes in a very enchanting manner, and exclaimed in a 
tremulous voice, What a happy woman your wife will 
be, Mr. Stryker ! I could almost envy her ! ” 

Were there actual tears in Miss Yon Trump’s eyes ? 
Could it be possible that a woman of her varied expe- 
riences and opportunities could, or would, or did — 


6 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


“You are so clifFerent from the empty-headed fops of 
the day/’ she murmured. “A woman could trust you 
so implicitly, could rely upon your strength, and manli- 
ness, and honor” — and her eyes drooped, her fair free 
flushed. 

There was a ringing in my ears and a great surging of 
blood at my heart ; a queer, tingling sensation in every 
nerve. Her hand seemed to slide into mine. 

“ Elizabeth,” I said, “ will you deign to become that 
woman ? I have so little to offer you ; ” and I paused, 
frightened at my own temerity. 

“ My dear Adolphus ! ” and the hand returned my 
pressure with delicate warmth as a happy sigh escaped 
her. “How rejoiced aunt will be ! She has always ad- 
mired you so much. She has many times warned me 
against marrying a man of the world, who thinks of 

nothing but himself, ^ v/hile such men as Mr. Stryker ^ 

yes, she has actually said it, Adolphus — ^understand the 
delicate art of rendering a woman supremely happy by 
their own noble forgetfulness of self’ ” 

I yielded to a mild attack of idiocy. What I said 
and did is of little moment. 

“ You will see uncle at your earliest opportunity, 
Adolphus,” murmured Elizabeth, at parting. “ He has 
been so good to me, and he would feel hurt if we kept 
our regard a secret.” 

I promised. Could it really be, I asked myself, in the 
privacy of my own room, that I was engaged to marry 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


7 


Miss Von Trump ? And what about the country cot- 
tage and the girl with the blue ribbon ? Elizabeth 
would want to spend her winters in New York, and her 
eyes were a rather faded blue, but her voice was deli- 
ciously soft and her manners unexceptionable. 

I was cordially received into the bosom of the Yon 
Trump family. I gave Elizabeth a diamond ring, a 
rather expensive one, I thought ; but I wanted it to be 
as handsome as one or two that she wore ordinarily. 
There was no need for a long engagement, she suggested, 
so our wedding day was appointed, and then had fol- 
lowed this discussion as to the manner of the ceremony. 

1 had an antipathy, unreasonable, I dare say, to showy 
weddings. A J une morning, a pretty country church, a 
fair young girl in white, a fortnight in some out-of-the- 
way place, where one could be as foolish as one listed. 
This might do for the brown-eyed girl, but Miss Yon 
Trump’s position demanded something quite different. 

But there would be the wedding gifts. This levying 
a tax on all your friends seemed to me more reprehen- 
sible than a minister’s donation party, and merely a 
phase of fashionable begging ; but when I reflected on 
the many presents Mrs. Yon Trump had given, and the 
fact of her having no daughter, I could see that it would be 
but fair play to return some of them. Of the Yon Trump 
sons, the eldest had married a pretty milliner girl, been 
disinherited, and gone to California, where the young 
couple were prospering in spite of the paternal maledic- 


8 


OUR WEDDim GIFTS. 


tion. The second son was in Europe — no great credit to 
his family, report said. 

This matter of the wedding being settled, we discussed 
the tour. 

Just a little run over to Europe/^ said Elizabeth, 
airily. 

To Europe I At this season of the year ? ” I ex- 
claimed, aghast at the prospect. 

Why, Adolphus, as if that mattered I A steamship 
can be made as warm as a hotel,” was her decisive reply. 

“ I am afraid I should not be able to spare so much 
time,” I said, hesitatingly. 

“ Time ! ” and Elizabeth laughed lightly. Ten days 
to go, ten to return, a week in London and another at 
Paris, for it is not the style to run all over. We can do 
it easily in four or five weeks.” 

But what can we see in that brief while ? ” I asked, 
with an earnestness I fondly hoped was impressive. 

“ See I ” exclaimed Elizabeth. “ Why, I have done 
it alt and been bored to death ! I don’t want to see 
anything, but just shop a little in Paris and order a 
Worth dress, and then we’ll hurry home. I have quite 
resolved upon it, and really, Adolphus, have you the 
heart to deny me ? ” and she began to look hysterical. 

My dear Elizabeth,” and a cold perspiration bathed 
my face, I am afraid I cannot afibrd it. When you 
did me the honor to accept me, you know I told you, 
without any deception, that I was a poor man. I have 


OUR WED DIN a GIFTS. 9 

a little money saved up for an emergency, but there will 
be house furnishing, and I really think — ’’ 

I paused there. If Elizabeth had discarded me on 
the spot I should not have been surprised. 

“ Adolphus,” and my charmer rose to her fullest 
height, and she is not a petite woman, Adolphus, you 
forget the wedding presents I They will more than 
make up to us the cost of the tour. And if it is neces- 
sary I will take my own money for the trip. Adol2)hus, 
I am willing to share it with you. It is not much, but 
heaven knows how cheerfully I shall speud it on this 
pleasure, for both of us ; ” and then Elizabeth dropped 
on the blue satin sofa, and gave way to her over- wrought 
feelings. 

I comforted. I promised. Elizabeth kissed me and 
called me her darling, and said I was so good, so ten- 
der ; that she knew she was impulsive, and that her 
nerves were so sensitive, but that she would learn strength 
and self-command from me, only her nature was so es- 
sentially feminine, and I must be patient. Thus the 
matter ended. 

A tour through Europe had also been among my 
ideals. When I had made enough money to be comfort- 
able, brown-eyes and I would go away quietly, not 
aiming at any style, but live in those clean, cheap, 
delightful lodgings that people do manage to find, tak- 
ing a day’s journey here and there until we had surveyed 
the country about us, then moving on to fresh pastures. 


10 


OUB WEB mm GIFTS. 


But this scurrying along like a hail-storm, was distaste- 
ful to me. 

The wedding was appointed for the middle of Novem- 
ber. Cards were sent out, and I was amazed at the array 
of friends my dear Elizabeth presented. I had an old 
uncle and aunt at Kingsbridge, living on a small farm ; 
another uncle at the West who had been Governor, 
Eepresentative and railroad president, but my knowledge 
of him was gleaned chiefly from the papers ; one cousin, 
living in New York, a good-hearted, sociable, plain fel- 
low, who had the cosiest home and the nicest wife 
imaginable. His sister was married to a comfortable 
Long Island farmer, and I had spent several summer 
vacations there. 

Adolphus,” said my betrothed, in a severely practical 
tone, “invite your friends to the house, who will be 
pretty sure to send in something. We can’t have our 
rooms filled with those who come simply to stare or to 
eat, and they can be invited afterward. The presents 
are all to be on exhibition. I do think it makes people 
a little more careful.” 

I felt bewildered by this display of wisdom, and, to 
confess the truth, somewhat shocked at the business-like 
manner in which the gifts were to be received. I had a 
suspicion that people eyed me as a rather well-bred 
mendicant, who was bidding for their favors. 

“Hillo!” said Ned Bromley, my cousin, running 
against me one day ; “ how are you, old chap ? In for 


OUB WEDDING GIFTS. H 

a swell wedding, I hear. Any solid silver business 
about it ? ” 

“ Do you mean wedding presents ? ” I asked, with a 
scarlet face. 

Yes ; Kitty wanted to know.” 

Ked,” I declared, vehemently, if you send me a 
sixpence worth I’ll never forgive you to my latest mo- 
ment. I want one friend whom I can meet afterward 
with a clear conscience and unblushing face. Grive my 
love to Kitty and tell her that same.” 

Sensible fellow. But you have stepped so far in 
among the aristocracy that you’ll have to give us the go- 
by, I’m afraid. Hosts of good wishes for your happiness.” 

We shook hand’s warmly as we parted. 

The evening before the ceremony I found my charmer 
in a most delightful frame of mind, and, I must add, 
that when Elizabeth was sweet she was simply irresis- 
tible. 

‘^Come up stairs,” she said, waving her jeweled hand 
with a most imposing gesture. 

I followed her up the broad stairway, where the steps 
were so thickly padded it was like walking on velvet. 
The ordinary sitting room had been transformed into 
what looked like a fancy bazaar. Long counters ran 
across the room, displaying every imaginable article. I 
felt sure I did not know the name of half of thern. 
Silver and gold, and bronze, and ver de-antique.^ glass and 
china, and ivory and pearl, ribbons and laces, and gloves 


12 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


and handkerchiefs in boxes and cases, scent bottles and 
vases, brackets and bags, fans, slippers ; and outside, 
chairs and jardinieres, and cuspadores and great ugly 
Chinese jars and Japanese tables ; articles to stand 
around, to hang up, to lie down, to tumble over, and for 
which there never could be found any use in this created 
world. 

‘^There!” exclaimed Elizabeth, triumphantly there!” 
in very large capitals. My dear Adolphus, did I not 
tell you that I knew best. We do not expect business 
men to be able to manage all the intricacies of a fashion- 
able wedding. Look at this silver service^solid too ! 
Uncle managed that for me. And of spoons and forks 
there really is no end. We shall never have to give our- 
selves an anxious thought as to table appointments. 
Just think what is saved in house furnishing ! ” 

But we never shall need all those casters,” I said, 
“ and as for salt-cellars, they are as plenty as slippers at 
a minister’s donation party. Keally, my dear, I feel as 
if I ought to belong to the cloth.” 

‘^Adolphus, how can you attempt such a wretched 
joke,” returned my betrothed in a severe tone. Only 
the two handsomest casters are marked, and the others 
we can exchange. You can remark upon such a trifle, 
while these lovely verde-antiques and bronzes confront 
you reproachfully. Adolphus, have you any soul ? ” 

I shrank back into my inmost self as I met her up- 
braiding eyes. 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


13 


“ And now,’’ opening another door, here is my pres- 
ent from dear nncle and aunt. I can hardly expect you 
to appreciate it, hut — ^hut — ” and there was an ominous 
tremble in her voice. 

‘^My dear,” I returned, meekly, “ it is the magnitude 
of these wedding gifts that overwhelms me — destroys my 
mental equilibrium for a moment or two. I begin to 
realize what an immense favorite of fortune you must have 
been, and wonder how I dared aspire to your hand.” 

“ Adolphus, my darling, when you do talk sense you 
are charming.” 

We turned to view uncle Yon Trump’s gift. A bed- 
room suite fit for a prince at the very least. The bed- 
stead looked large enough for an ordinary chapel. The 
head was carved, and gilded, and inlaid, indeed, it would 
have taken a week to study out the intricate designs. 
It went up to the ceiling and down to the floor, and I 
felt that it would be sacrilege to venture to sleep upon 
it. The bureau was equally magnificent. The chairs 
were upholstered in violet satin, and the bed was covered 
with lace spread over the same color. 

“ That is my taste,” announced Elizabeth. “ Blue and 
scarlet, and rose, have been used so much, and it is not 
every complexion that can stand violet. Is n’t it the per- 
fection of loveliness ! And the spread and shams are 
real lace over satin. Kate McCready’s were only thin 
sleasy silk. And look at this lovely sleepy-hollow chair. 
That is from Mr. Brisbie. Poor fellow ! he really was 


14 


oun WEB Dim GIFTS, 


hard hit by the news of my engagement. And this ele- 
gant dessert service is from Captain Brown. I sent 
them cards — they are rather second-rate people, but 
since they are so anxious to get into society, why should 
they not pay for it ? I would n’t have expected such 
taste from the odious manner in which Mrs. Brown 
dresses. And look at this beautiful crystal — every kind 
of wine and champagne complete. I was in Collins & 
Black’s one day, and saw this set, and went wild over it. 

do hope,^ I said, Hhat some one will have sense 
enough to send me that for a bridal gift,’ and here it is.” 

My face flushed somewhat at this naive confession. 
Was it the custom of brides elect to go around announc- 
ing to their friends what they would like to receive ? 

Elizabeth was suddenly summoned down stairs, and I 
continued my survey. What puzzled me was, where we 
were to put all these things. Whatever were all these 
curious forks and knives, and paddles, and ladles to be 
used for, and certainly we should have to stand our 
mantel-pieces thick with vases. Then I fell into a 
reverie. If, now, Elizabeth had opened a subscription 
book, and every friend had put down the amount ex- 
pended for these articles, we might have bought a pretty 
cottage somewhere in the suburbs, perhaps, and fur- 
nished it to our liking. We should not be able to give 
tremendous parties, nor even dinners, and certainly two 
people could never use half of these things. To be sure 
they had not cost us anything, and I hated to seem un- 


OVR WED Dim GIFTS. 


15 


grateful, but I could understand how much Christian 
grace it took to render a clergyman thankful for twenty- 
five pairs of slippers and four bushels of biscuits the day 
after a donation party. 

However, Elizabeth and I exchanged a cordial good- 
night after many charges concerning the morrow. I re- 
tired to my bachelor quarters for the last time, lighted 
my cigar, looked over some old letters, and destroyed 
them, though I had no holocaust to make of curls of 
hair, faded ribbons, or perfumed gloves. Then I re- 
signed myself to sleep with a clear conscience, and was 
not even haunted by an avalanche of wedding gifts. 


CHAPTEK II. 

The marriage was one of the afiairs of the season, and 
was graphically reported in the daily papers. Elizabeth 
cut out the articles and keeps them in a secret drawer 
of her jewel-case. I have a vague remembrance of walk- 
ing in church, with a cloud of whiteness on my arm. I 
believe I responded rightly, though cold shivers chased 
each other down my back. There was no awkward con- 
tretemps with the wedding ring. Amid a crash of music 
we sailed majestically down the aisle, and were whisked 
off to the Von Trump mansion, where, for three mortal 


16 


OUR WEBBING GIFTS, 


hours, we endured the agonies of a crush reception. I 
bowed until my neck seemed dislocated ; I said idiotic 
things ; I smiled until I feared I was coming to resem- 
ble a laughing hyena. Through it all Elizabeth was 
superb. I was struck with a still deeper admiration for 
a woman who could remain so self-possessed, so tranquil, 
and show no traces of fatigue. 

The procession went up stairs to view the gifts, and 
down stairs for refreshments. There was a buzz of re- 
marks, and shrieks of admiration. The jealousy, envy, 
and heart-burning, who can tell ? 

“ Be sure and send all my solid silver to the bank,” 
were Elizabeth’s parting words. ‘‘ Send for a man to 
come and pack the glass and china, and we shall surely 
be back in time to receive New Year calls. Good-bye, 
dear, dear aunt,” and the two women cried a little in 
each other’s arms. 

An hour after we were outside of Sandy Hook I was 
sea-sick. The passage was rough and uncomfortable, 
though not stormy. A merchant friend of Elizabeth’s 
was going over, so she had some company, for I did not 
begin to crawl about until we were almost in port. 
Then the hurrying about London in a fog, the whirl and 
excitement, crossing the channel, and finding myself in a 
new hubbub, rendered me really ill. It was fortunate 
that Elizabeth could find her way about alone, since I 
was so wretched. 

We were gone just six weeks and two days, at a cost 


OUR WEDDim GIFTS, 17 

of twelve hundred dollars. It made quite a havoc in the 
sum I had laid by towards my farm. 

However, I was devoutly thankful to find myself once 
more in the sumptuous Von Trump mansion. Even 
Elizabeth, I thought, looked a little jaded, hut I had 
learned that the rose and pearl of her complexion could 
bloom serenely enough in spite of fatigues, or headaches, 
or dissipation of any sort. It must he a great comfort 
to a woman to possess this grand secret of unfailing good 
looks, and have everybody say — ^^Ah, no need to ask 
how your tour agreed with you.^^ 

Ned Bromley came in the office one morning, and 
started as he saw me. I was thin and sallow, I knew. 

You look as if you’d had rough weather, old fellow,” 
said he. Whatever did possess you to cross the ocean 
at this season of the year ? Did Paris and London 
meet your expectations ? ” 

I confessed ruefully, that as a sight-seeing tour, it had 
been a dismal failure. 

Elizabeth wore her new Worth dress on New Year’s 
day, and was resplendent in a mass of silk, satin, velvet, 
lace and ribbon, that appeared to have been thrown to- 
gether and adhered by some new law of attraction. It 
was a second edition of the wedding reception. In the 
evening I stole out and found my way to Ned’s. They 
lived on a very convenient and comfortable fioor, at a 
rent of six hundred dollars. Kitty did her own work, 
except the washing, and took care of her three children. 


18 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


1’hey meant, when they had saved up a sufficient sum, to 
purchase a pretty suburban house, with fruit and garden. 

How cosy they looked in their simple parlor. Kitty 
always gave such a pretty air to everything. She had a 
way of manufacturing home adornments at a slight cost 
that were quite marvellous. She had papered her 
dining-room with a sort of panelling, and put a fresco 
bordering at the top, making it look equal to the work 
of a paper hanger. She upholstered chairs ; made mats 
and rugs and wall pockets ; painted vases and fruit and 
flower pieces in water colors. She always had some 
fancy work handy, and I used to love to watch her fairy 
fingers as they flew in and out of bright-colored wools. 
If Providence had bestowed upon Kitty a younger 
sister, Elizabeth Yon Trump would never have met me 
in my bachelor estate. 

There was a fire of blazing coal in the parlor grate 
that gave everything a warm glow. Kitty, in a brown 
silk, with plenty of soft lace about her neck, and a nose- 
gay of carnation pinks and heliotrope at her throat, 
looked every inch a lady. The piano stood open, and 
Ned’s flute lay upon it. I am afraid you will think I 
am describing an ideal character, but Kitty actually had 
kept up with her music since her marriage, and taught 
her two eldest children. 

Several friends dropped in, and we had some fine sing- 
ing. Afterward, Dick Seaton, Ned and I went in the 
dining-room and had a smoke. Dick chaffed me a good 


OUE WEBBING GIFTS. 


19 


deal about my marriage. He heard we had enough solid 
silver to set us up for life. Would I not be afraid of 
thieves ? Were there many duplicates ? if so^ I could 
keep them for future occasions when I had to return 
bridal presents. I would find them come in very handy. 

The thought startled me. Why, it would take a for- 
tune ! Then I remembered Elizabeth had said these 
articles were sent in return for favors her aunt had be- 
stowed, and concluded that Hick Seaton was not posted 
in such matters. It would be manifest injustice, I 
reasoned, in a cloud of cigar smoke. These gifts came 
from different individuals, but for one person to return 
the whole amount would be preposterous, ruinous ! 

It was quite late when I returned home, but I had 
taken only one glass of sherry wine, and was very clear- 
headed. The Yon Trump drawing-room was still full — 
uncle Yon Trump’s political friends seemed to be hold- 
ing a caucus. A throng of Elizabeth’s olden admirers 
were about her, some of them, I must confess, rather 
thick in the tongue, and with a watery look about their 
eyes. Indeed, I felt very strongly inclined to order out 
two or three of them without further ceremony, but re- 
frained, as it was not my house. 

“ Adolplius,” said Elizabeth, a few days afterward, 
wish you would give me two or three hundred dollars, 
I told aunt she should not go to the whole expense of 
the Hew Year entertainment, as it was so much for us, 
and they were so generous at the wedding.” 


20 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


Various small items had been sent in to me, to the 
amount of five hundred dollars. My reserve fund was 
rapidly decreasing. However, ther« would be no more 
gorgeous festivities, so I made her out the desired check, 
having learned that when a woman mentions two sums, 
the first is merely complimentary, the second the amount 
desired. 

We were quite worn out with balls and parties and 
dinners during the month. Indeed, some of them I did 
not attend. There was a wearying sameness, it appeared 
to me. Late hours, hot rooms and French cookery did 
not agree with me, I must confess. I used to look at 
Elizabeth in wonder as she and her aunt discussed ap- 
pointments, and it seemed to me a life of pleasure was 
harder than any work. 

Laura McFadden was in to-day,” announced Eliza- 
beth, one of the rare evenings when we were in the 
retirement of our boudoir — I am not quite sure that is 
the right word, for I do not understand French. Eliza- 
beth, like a good wife, bridges over the slippery places 
for me, though why respectable English is not as good is 
a puzzle to me. Do French people, I wonder, interlard 
their conversation with scraps of English ? Laura was 
in — Adolphus, I don’t believe you are paying a bit of 
attention.” 

Yes, my dear ; ” rousing myself from my French 
reverie, and glancing at her diamond forefinger. 

One of the houses in the row where she lives is to 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


21 


rent, and they are so elegant, so complete in every 
respect. They have rented for thirty-five hundred dol- 
lars, hut this is offered for three thousand. Had we not 
better secure it at once, for those houses are snapped up 
eagerly It is just the neighborhood I like, since we 
cannot live on the avenue.” 

I drew a long breath. The last and fatal moment had 
come, and the ringing in my ears was as loud as the 
beating of the drums must have sounded to the unfortu- 
nate Gilderoy. I cleared my throat. I studied the 
shaggy worsted dog’s head on my slipper that made my 
foot look broad enough for a corn planter, but a friend 
of Elizabeth’s had sent us each a pair. Elizabeth con- 
signed hers to the chambermaid, declaring that she hated 
worked slippers, and I longed to bestow mine upon cook, 
but had not the courage. I braced my back-bone hard 
against the chair; I even thrust my hands in my 
trousers’ pockets. 

Why do n’t you answer ? ” cried Elizabeth, im- 
patiently, laying carefully in a drawer the beautiful 
finger puffs she had just taken from her head. Next it 
would be the massive braid, then a fringe of curls, and 
the little wisp at the back would be all that was left of 
her luxuriant hair. I do believe you love to be pro- 
voking ! ” 

My love,” I returned, mildly, I was considering 
the most agreeable form of answer compatible with my 
circumstances. Elizabeth, my dear girl,” and here I 


22 


OTTR WEDDING GIFTS. 


straightened up — it always mollified her, I observed, tp 
be called a girl — I am afraid, in the fervor of your 
first love for me, you hardly understood that you were 
marrying a poor man. It is the sad truth, my love. I 
wish I were a millionnaire for your sake. Yet I am 
afraid we shall not be able to pay a rent of three 
thousand on an income of five thousand.” 

She paused before me with the dignity, the grandeur, 
the sadness of a Norma, with the braid of hair still in her 
hand. Would she go into a frenzy of passion, or a swoon 
of despair ? 

You know I told you I could not begin my married 
life under a cloud of deception.” 

^^Five thousand is very little,” she remarked, sadly. 
Adolphus, could you not speculate, or become a con- 
tractor like Timothy McFadden ? I am sure you are as 
smart and much better educated. But Laura keeps a 
carriage and has everything.” 

I do not believe I have any head for speculating,” I 
returned, frankly ; and to be a contractor one must 
belong to a ring and give champagne suppers to crowds 
of men, and be hand-in-glove with pot-house politicians.” 

Adolphus, I do wish you would not express yourself 
so vulgarly, quite as if you had been brought up a — a 
shoemaker,” said my angel, sharply. I am sure Laura 

goes in the first society 

“ But Tim McFadden’s father was a soap boiler, and 
you know you said at first, that family was more to you 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


23 


than wealth, or I should not have dared to aspire to your 
hand. I am afraid, my dear, you hardly counted the 
cost. Will you not regret, long for your freedom, that 
you may choose more wisely ? ” 

What visions floated through Elizabeth’s brain at that 
moment I could not determine. She seemed lost in con- 
sideration. 

What are we to do, Adolphus ? ” 

People do live on five thousand a year. There is my 
cousin, Ned Bromley, who has hut two thousand, and is 
saving up money — ” 

We must have two servants, and there ought to be 
a colored waiter with all that lovely glass and china that 
never cost us a j^enny. Why, I might as well not have 
had any wedding gifts as to have no house to put them 
in,” and Elizabeth be’gan to sob in her handkerchief. 

I endeavored to comfort her. I promised to devote 
my spare time to learning the mysteries of Wall street, 
and cultivating Tim McFadden, that after a year or 
two we might aflbrd something. While I was in the 
firm of Trask, Keep & Co. perhaps it would be well not 
to make too great a show, as they were quiet, old- 
fashioned men, with some rather queer notions. 

“ And I promised Laura to go, and, however can I 
tell her the mortifying truth ! Oh, Adolphus, not that 
I love you any less ” — and here Elizabeth wept hysteri- 
cally — not that I would be single again, but if we only 


24 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


could have a house equal to our wedding gifts, I should 
he the happiest of women.” 

I soothed and comforted with delusive hopes, I am 
afraid, and at last Elizabeth being divested of her high art 
adornments, was persuaded to retire. When I heard 
her breathing regularly, with a little whiff now and then, 
I felt she was sleeping the sleep of conscious rectitude. 
Knowing well that it was a husband’s place to take the 
brunt and burthens of life, I lay awake a long while, 
puzzling myself as to how we ever would get a house to 
suit our wedding gifts. When at last I fell into a 
troubled slumber, I dreamed a silver elephant was 
stumbling around over jars and bronzes, and china, and 
that the floor was strewn with fragments, while I rushed 
into the street and shouted myself hoarse, trying to get 
some one to come and capture the elephant. 

This was the beginning of many anxious discussions, 
much dividing and sub-dividing, until we finally agreed 
that our rent could not be more than two thousand 
dollars. Old Mr. Trask offered me a house adjoining 
his at eighteen hundred a year. It was a rather old- 
fashioned three story brick, but Elizabeth was so over- 
come at the sight of it, that I did not insist upon her 
going within. 

We took a list from a house agent, and began our 
quest. It was singular how many miserable specimens 
of architecture and inconvenience we found. And where 
the closets and sleeping apartments were all right,^ the 


OVR WEDDING GIFTS. 25 

jDarlor would be all wrong. At last I hit upon one I 
thought would suit. 

Alas ! The hall was too narrow, and with no place 
for statuary. The dining-room was very plain, with an 
atrociously low ceiling, and there was no style about the 
parlor. No, it never would do. She could not live in a 
dungeon ! 

^^Very well,’’ I said, shortly ; when you find a place 
that does suit, I will go and look at it. We are very 
busy now, and time is precious to me.” With that I 
walked off, much relieved. 

About the first of April Elizabeth announced she had 
found the desired prize — a row of twenty-five hundred 
dollar houses, which would be let for two thousand to a 
reliable tenant. 

The exterior was really grand. A handsome vesti- 
bule ; a frescoed hall ; a superb parlor, with a wide cor- 
nice and elaborate centre piece ; black walnut, cherry 
and holly trimmings ; a wainscotted dining-room, with 
butler’s pantry ; but the kitchen plumbing had an omi- 
nous look, and the walls were cracking in every direc- 
tion. 

Elizabeth ran up the long stairs delighted. The 
second floor was not quite so magnificent ; indeed, I 
thought it very common. It was awkwardly cut up, 
with a dark room in the middle, and all the chambers 
were small. 

‘‘Is not the ceiling low ? ” I ventured to suggest. 


26 


OXIB WEDDING GIFTS. 


But the parlor is so very high,” said Elizabeth, with 
the consoling voice of a sister of charity. 

There is your bedroom suite. I am sure we could not 
get more than one piece in each room.” 

^^But the dining-room is so handsome. We cannot 
have everything.” 

I felt that it was a cheap, showy sham, with every 
room sacrificed to the On our return home I 

measured the bedstead ; it would just crowd in. 

I am happy to pay this tribute to Elizabeth’s good 
sense, that she allowed herself to be convinced, and that 
the next week we found a much better house, although 
the parlors consisted of two rooms with sliding doors, 
and were not as magnificent. But up stairs one room 
ran across the front of the house, was well lighted and 
cheerful. Elizabeth’s whole bedroom suite could be ac- 
commodated here. 

And now what about furnishing and living ? I took 
out a pencil and account book to make an estimate. 

A cook and a chambermaid, one at twelve and the 
other at fifteen dollars a month, and their board — six or 
seven hundred — ” 

And a colored boy to answer the door and wait upon 
the table. It gives such style to an establishment. And 
he could polish the silver, and look after your boots and 
shoes, my love,” said Elizabeth, with fond eagerness. 

“ A thousand, then, for servants. Two thousand for 
rent, and — can you live on two thousand ? ” 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


27 


I must try, dear Adolphus, though I know very little 
about managing a house. But I shall need next to 
nothing in the way of dress, and our furnishing will he 
a mere bagatelle. Nothing much but carpets and 
chairs.” 

Of my little hoard I had hut twenty-eight hundred 
dollars remaining. I gave this to Elizabeth, explaining 
that it was all I had beside my yearly income from the 
business. 

“ But incomes always do increase ? ” and she looked 
up, questioning] y. 

It will hardly do to trust too much to that hope,” I 
returned, with a doubtful shake of my head. 

Elizabeth was in her element for the next fortnight. 
Servants came and were catechised, carpets and furniture 
were inspected, workmen were flying in and out, a man 
came to pack up vases and statues and the most cumber- 
some of wedding gifts, and the bank was called upon to 
disgorge its treasures. 

You’ll get a safe, of course,” said uncle Yon Trump. 

And don’t keep it in the basement. Have it upon the 
second floor under your own eye, and see that the ser- 
vants bring up the solid ware as soon as it is used. 
Don’t have things lying about to tempt stragglers. And 
keep your pistol under your pillow.” 

Oh, goodness!” cried Elizabeth; “I never should 
sleep a wink.” 

I did not explain that I was not an adept at pistol 


28 


OUR WEDDING GIETS. 


practice, and that even to have one in my hand gave me 
a shaky feeling. 

About the middle of May, Elizabeth one morning 
invited me to dinner in our new home. With a feeling 
of elation, as became a householder, I walked proudly 
up the street, studied the number, and mounted the 
stone steps. Elizabeth was waiting to open the hall 
door. She was dressed in a light silk with a flowing 
train, had on her diamonds and her best hair, and was 
fragrant with hot-house flowers. She ushered me in 
with the graciousness of a queen. 

You may just peep into my parlors,” she exclaimed. 

Dinner will be at half-past six to-day, though I told 
Kate six would be our usual hour.” 

The carpets were soft to the foot and pleasing to the 
eye. Advancing a few steps, I stood in the utmost 
amazement. Could all this magniflcence be mine ? 
This confused mingling of blue satin, lace window dra- 
peries, rosewood and gilt, ormolu and buhl, vases and 
clocks, and pictures, and brackets and stands ; and a 
solemn broken-armed Venus, in one corner, seeminfir to 
wink disreputably to an Apollo over yonder. 

Kow I call that handsome, and in elegant taste. I 
brought Van Brickelbach, the artist, over here this 
morning, and he went wild, he positively did, and he is 
going to paint me a picture. It is ever so much hand- 
somer than Laura’s drawing-room; but poor Laura,” and 
my wife let her voice fall pityingly, does not possess an 


OUR WEUUI^G GIFTS. 


29 


atom of taste. Isn’t it just perfect, Adolphus ? Not 
too much, and no mixture of second and third-rate 
articles.” 

I picked my way aboufe carefully in order to avoid a 
fable or an easel, or a chair or a corner of a tete-a-tete, 
or a vase or a jar in some unsuspected spot. It made 
me think of an art museum, and I felt as if I wanted a 
catalogue. 

I suppose it is all right. I am not much of a judge,” 
I appended, hesitatingly. But why do you have that 
old blue and white plate there against the wall ? ” and I 
stared in surprise. 

That ! ” and Elizabeth’s glance almost annihilated 
me. “ That plate belonged to — let me see — one of the 
queens of Holland — or was it Belgium ? Mrs. Hadder- 
man sent it to me. It cost everything, almost, and she 
said she would not have broken her collection for another 
human being.” 

My grandmother had quantities of just such plates,” 
I made answer. 

But she was n’t a queen ! There is a glamor about 
anything royal hands have touched, and the value is not 
always with the article but the association and the great 
age. And now you might not think this old painting 
was so very valuable, but it is a genuine Holbein. Van 
Brickelbach went into ecstacies over it. But come up 
stairs.” 


30 


OTTR WEDDING GIFTS. 


I followed iny guide, wondering what an ordinary 
plain man wanted of all this grandeur. 

There was our sleeping-room, gorgeous enough for the 
Grand Duke. And here again we had a multiplicity of 
pitchers, and j ugs and cups, some of them ugly and gro- 
tesque enough for Indian idols. 

There was a passage-way between, and the back room 
was not so large, but very handsomely furnished, and 
this connected with the bath-room. 

This will be our room, as a general thing,” remarked 
Elizabeth, “ for I must use the other as a sitting-room, 
since we are so crowded. If the house only had been 
four stories ! ” 

But what is to be done with the next floor ? ” I in- 
quired. 

“ Ah, come up and see,” said Elizabeth, with a smile 
like a siren What would you say to a library ? ” 

A library ! But I have so few books — ” 

Nonsense ! as if books counted ! You want a place 
to smoke and to receive gentlemen friends, and as you 
are a business man it cannot be a study. Now do not be 
cross.” 

The carpet was a mossy green with flecks of crimson 
and brown, the furniture black walnut and maroon, a 
book-case, an elegant writing-desk, two or three luxurious 
arm-chairs, and a cosy lounge. 

I should have been a brute not to have expressed my 
delight. Surely a wife who could order and arrange in 


om WEBDim GIFTS. 31 

this fashion must prove a treasure to any man. I 
thanked my charmer again and again. 

Just then the dinner-bell rang. We only had a mo- 
ment to peep into the guest-chamherj done up in rose 
and pale green. The two small hall bedrooms must bo 
devoted to the servants. It was too bad they could not 
have a floor to themselves, but in such a small house it 
could not be helped, and Elizabeth sighed. 

I made myself ready, and we went down to the 
dining-room. A great buflet displayed our glass and 
silver-ware. The table was grand enough for a state 
dinner. I felt that we should have asked in some one to 
share our magniflcence. Was all this state to be kept 
up for two people ? Elizabeth was used to it, of course, 
but somehow I did not enjoy it. Once in a while was 
well enough, but could it be had for flve thousand a 
year ? 

The young lad for waiter was to come to-morrow or 
next day to see about the situation. The worst was, he 
would have to go home every night, as there was no 
accommodation in the house. But Elizabeth meant to 
stipulate that he should remain when there was com- 
pany, and be on hand early in the morning. 

Elizabeth was in the best of spirits. Housekeeping 
would be delightful, and she was so anxious to have dear 
Laura see the house. After all, it was not so bad for a 
poor man. 


32 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS, 


CHAPTER III. 

I SLEPT soundly in my new house ; I went down town 
the next morning with a jubilant step. Spring business 
had been very fair, Elizabeth had expended my twenty- 
eight hundred dollars wisely, and there was no reason 
why I should not be a happy man. 

Adolphus,” said Elizabeth, as I returned home that 
afternoon, Essie Wales’ wedding cards have come. 
Don’t you thinJfTt a good omen ? the first thing left at 
our new house. The wedding is to be at home, eight in 
the evening ; very old-fashioned, I think ; but we ought 
to go. And she is actually going to marry that little fool 
of a Munder. How can she, although his aunt is enor- 
mously rich, they say, and he will have it all. Essie^is 
so young and pretty though. And I’m not going to buy 
anything, but just have my wedding dress made over 
and trimmed with black lace. I have a lovely fiounce, 
and there is that great roll Mrs. De Bar sent me — Pusher 
to be sure, but then it matches the flounce. I wish it 
had been thread. And now what shall we give Essie for 
a wedding present ? ” 

A — wedding present ? ” and I stared. 

Why, yes. I would n’t be so mean as not to return 
the compliment. Mrs. Wales sent me that beautiful 


OUR WEDDim GIFTS. 33 

bronze down stairs — Don Quixote and Sancbo Panza. 
It did not cost less than a hundred dollars.” 

Are we expected to pay back the full value of all 
the articles we received ” I asked. 

How brusquely you express yourself, Adolphus. 
Some people who have sent us gifts will never marry, 
and some are married, and — oh, no we won’t have to pay 
half of them back, if you are anxious to know. But 
the Wales are very stylish people, and Mrs. Munder will 
keep her carriage, and I cannot afford to fall out of the 
ranks, if I have married a poor man. And now that I 
have such a pretty house — Adolphus, help me to think 
what would be nice ! ” 

How should I know ? I have not had much experi- 
ence in that line. I believe I once gave a bracelet and a 
few rings.” 

“ There is nothing actually new,” Elizabeth mused, 
‘^and Essie will not go to housekeeping. I dare say 
she has loads of jewelry.” 

Perhaps it would be better for you to go out and 
look,” I mildly suggested. 

I think I will, to-morrow. By the way, Adolphus, 
do you not think we ought to give a little dinner, or 
something ? We ought not shut up our house, and it 
will soon be warm, weather, with the real style going out 
of town. It ought not be later than the first of June.” 

I thought we had parties enough at your uncle’s. 
A man has his own house for the quiet and the com- 


34 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


fort — ” I paused, for a cloud began to shadow my 
charmer’s face. Then a bright thought entered my mind. 

Did your waiter come to-day, Elizabeth ? ” 

^^Oh, yes. But I am really afraid, my dear, he is 
such a handsome fellow, and very light, and hands like 
a girl — ” 

Are you afraid of so much beauty ? ” 

It is n’t that. Do not be ridiculous, Adolphus. But 
he would want ten dollars a week if he lodged out of the 
house, and aunt Yon Trump doesn’t pay James but 
seven dollars a week with the care of the horses and all. 
I do think it is very high,” said Elizabeth, plaintively. 

I felt inclined to laugh. Ten dollars a week to open 
the hall door, wait upon the table, bring up a little coal, 
and sweep the sidewalk. 

We shall have to find a waiter with less beauty, I 
am afraid,” I replied, soberly. 

Yet such appointments give a house tone and style,” 
was the reply, in a regretful voice. It may not make 
so much difierence to you, Adolphus, but to a person of 
msthetic tastes, harmony of surroundings is so desirable.” 

But, suppose we never had any visitors, would you 
care so much then ? ” 

No visitors ! ” cried Elizabeth, aghast. “ Adolphus, 
do you mean to keep me shut up as if I were in a con- 
vent ? ” and there was actual terror in the eyes of my 
charmer. 

“ My dear, I have neither time nor inclination to turn 


^ OVR WEDDING GIFTS. 


35 


jailer. The duties of junior partner at Trask, Keep & 
Co. offer a more alluring field. Then I may say with 
all truthfulness, that I am not of a jealous turn of mind. 
But you have not answered my question. If you were 
sure there would he no callers at the hall door, no guests 
at lunch or dinner, would you still desire to pay ten 
dollars a week to this olive-hued Adonis ? ” 

How perfectly absurd you are, Adolphus ! ” and 
Elizabeth looked at me as if I had suddenly developed 
a state of inoffensive idiocy. ^^If no one came, Lucy 
would do just as well for door opener and waiter. It is 
the style for other people to see ! ” and my wife raised 
her head triumphantly, as if she had fully entrenched 
herself behind a line of unassailable fortifications. 

I stretched out my legs and crossed my feet, thrust 
my hands deeply into my pockets, and returned with 
remorseless cruelty, Then your eesthetic tastes and love 
of harmony are simply for your neighbors. It seems that 
we are to spend our money with an eye single to the 
opinion of our neighbors, and not for the comfort and 
pleasure it maybe to ourselves ? Do you not see, Eliza- 
beth ? ” I went on, warming with my subject. 

I see that you are fioundering about in ridiculous 
nonsense, and your hands are up to your elbows in your 
pockets. It does make you such a figure, Adolphus, and 
slipping down to the middle of your back in a chair ! 
You had much better be helping me think what I 
shall get for a bridal present.’’ 


36 


OTTR WED Dim GIFTS. 


I made various useful suggestions which my charmer 
scouted ; then I mildly insinuated that the masculine 
mind, being naturally more obtuse, could hardly he ex- 
pected to discern the fine shades and discriminations 
necessary for wedding gifts. 

Elizabeth spent the whole of the next day looking 
about. There were lovely neck chains and pendants, hut 
Essie had loads of them ; there were bracelets ; there 
were rings ; there were laces and embroidery ; but,” 
said she, sagely, something to which you can put your 
name seems a much better investment. People always 
know then that you gave it, whereas laces and handker- 
chiefs go out of mind as soon as the presents have been 
exhibited — ” 

A caster for instance — ” 

To think that we had to exchange . nine of ours at a 
sacrifice ! No,” heroically, “I wouldn’t send a caster 
if there was nothing else to send ! There is a pretty 
Madonna at Schaus’, in a velvet case, for seventy-five 
dollars, and there are some other pictures — they always 
come in handy. Now, that is a bright idea, Adolphus ; 
I will get a picture.” 

I supposed now it would be clear sailing in the house- 
hold, but alas ! 

What do you think, Adolphus ? ” almost shrieked 
Elizabeth, a day or two after, as I entered the room. 

Such a — a swindle ! for you can’t call it by any other 
name. I never w^as so — -yes, sold! The shamefulness 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


37 


of tlie circumstance justifies the use of slang, though in 
the higher circles it is reprehensible.” 

My dear — ” and my eyes opened widely. 

Hear me through, Adolphus. I observe you have 
a bad way of jumping at a conclusion before you under- 
stand half the facts of the case. You know you thought 
I had better have my white wedding silk made over for 
the reception, and I said I would use my black lace 
flounce and the lace Mrs. De Bar gave me ; so I sent 
Lucy with it to 0 tilde. To-day I went in. 

“ ‘ Does madame mean to use that imitation lace on 
her handsome dress,’ inquired Otilde. 

‘ Imitation lace ! What are you thinking of, 
Otilde ? ’ I said with severe dignity. 

^ Why this,’ and she tossed it out contemptuously. 
^ It is a very excellent imitation, but I have worked so 
much in lace, that madame must allow me to be a 
judge. Of course, madame must have been deceived. 
I would exchange it ? ’ 

^‘‘Otilde,’ said I, ‘don’t for a moment think that I 
bought imitation lace. That was sent to me by Mrs. 
De Bar as a wedding gift,’ and if she could have heard 
the withering scorn in my voice, it would have crushed 
her, Adolphus ! In the hurry of packing up — and then 
one is always in an excitement at such an important 
period of one’s life as marriage — I did not examine the 
lace closely, and as I explained to Otilde, I could not 
have suspected Mrs. De Bar of such meanness ! Twelve 


38 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


yards of useless lace ! Oh, I do wish Mrs. De Bar had 
a daughter, and I could send it to her as a wedding 
gift.” 

But Mrs. De Bar may have been mistaken,” I sug- 
gested. 

. She ! ” How lofty and annihilating the intonation 
was ! Elizabeth might have stood for Medea then. 

She does n’t wear imitation laces. Why, last summer 
she gave fifteen hundred dollars for her lace shawl at 
Stewart’s. But she’ll hear of it again ! I always 
thought there was -something mean about Mrs. De Bar’s 
face.” 

“ But if you could n’t tell the difference — ” 

Oh, good gracious, Adolphus ! ” cried Elizabeth, as 
if a bee had suddenly stung her ; you don’t suppose 1 
would wear imitation lace, and Otilde knowing all about 
it ! although it is an excellent imitation, and Pusher 
lace is so easily imitated. Why didn’t she send me 
thread ? ” 

‘‘Well,” I said, jocosely, “you must pass it off 
somewhere else as a wedding present.” 

“Yes, I might,” said Elizabeth, plaintively, “if there 
was anyone — oh, Adolphus, there are those four Hendry 
girls. They gave me plated salt-cellers, and nut-picks, 
and dollar vases, and they would not mind ; in fact, it is 
doubtful if they could tell the difference. But I don’t 
believe a soul of them ever will get married.” 

The dinner bell rang at this juncture. 


OUR WEBDim GIFTS. 


39 


I have thoTiglifc since how very useful meals are in the 
grand system of wedded life. Few things could change 
the current of thought so completely. And if the roast 
happens to be overdone or underdone, or the steak 
broiled to a crisp, and the potatoes watery, it drives out 
of your mind such trifles as imitation lace, or even a 
marital disagreement. 

Elizabeth bought the Madonna, and aunt Von Trump 
was obliging enough to come for us in her carriage. 
Elizabeth looked resplendent in her trailing white 
silk, half covered with black lace. There was a great 
jam at the Wales’ mansion, which was lighted, and 
flowered, and adorned according to modern usage. Miss 
Essie was a pretty girl of twenty, while the bridegroom 
was a diminutive, washed-out, idiotic looking personage, 
whose conversational powers seemed to be limited to a 
drawling ya-a-s. There was a table full of refreshments 
in the dining-room, and the presents were on exhibition 
up stairs. ’ There was a crush up and down, a general 
confusion of silk and lace, and ringlets and exclama- 
tions. 

We went up of course to see how our gift looked 
among so many. There was silver, and jewelry, and 
vases, and traps of various kinds ; but oh, grief ! Eliza- 
beth stood transfixed, and actually turned pale. Some 
one had sent in another Madonna in a purple velvet case, 
looking as much like ours as two peas in a pod. All 
delight in the festivities was at an end. Elizabeth 


40 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


craned her neck over two or three women to read the 
name. Her own friend and admirer, Van Brickelbachl 
The perfumed air was as a waft of wormwood ; the 
golden strawberries of May were as ashes in her mouth. 

It is too bad I ” sobbed my angel, as she was taking 
off her gorgeous robes in the retirement of her chamber ; 

too bad ! Of course she will keep Van Brickelbach’s, 
and trade off mine, or sell it to some one at half price, 
or maybe give it away for a wedding gift. If you only 
had taken any interest in the matter, Adolphus, but you 
would make me go off alone, and you know you said you 
thought it as good a thing as I could buy.” 

My dear,” interrupting her, what I said was, that 
I thought it very little for seventy-five dollars.” 

‘^You are no judge whatever of art, Adolphus,” re- 
turned my wife severely. “ It is exqusitely beautiful and 
fine ; and when a man like Van Bricklebach selects such 
a gift, I take it as a great compliment paid to my taste. 
But I dare say, being in that business, he bought his for 
half-price — took it for a debt, may be, and of course Essie 
will display his everywhere, and there ’ll be nothing to 
show for my money. You are a plain and unpolished 
businessman, Adolphus, but I’m thankful I am not mar- 
ried to such a lily-livered fool as that Munder.” 

Thank you I ” With that I tumbled into the lower 
floor of the four-story chapel bedstead, and left Eliza- 
beth putting away her finery. 

We had not yet settled upon our house warming when 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


4L 


the first of June came in, neither had we engaged our 
colored waiter. Friends had dropped in casually and 
staid to lunch or to dinner, and Elizabeth had been full 
of apologies for the unsettled state of affairs. Indeed, 
there had been much perplexity in getting our domestic 
machinery in harmonious working order. The plumber 
had to be called in, the dining-room carpet was dis- 
covered to be mismatched, and had to be taken up ; 
Kate and Lucy quarrelled, and Kate packed up her limited 
wardrobe, but was finally pacified by my wife. Then 
one morning our safe key would not work according to 
the cabalistic sign, and one night our silver was not 
brought up, though as we did not know it until morning, 
we slept soundly. 

Adolphus, here are some bills that came in to day,’ 
and Elizabeth tossed them over into my lap. 

“ Bills ? For what ? ” 

Why, you did not expect I could furnish a house from 
top to bottom on that paltry sum you gave me ? I tried 
to be just as economical as possible. Aunt and I went all 
over, and our carpets were a bargain. Why, Laura’s par- 
lor carpet cost three thousand, and ours altogether have 
cost a trifle over twelve hundred. Aunt thought it very 
cheap.” 

Well, then there was sixteen hundred left.” 

Do you suppose any one gave us our furniture, Adol- 
phus ? ” 

Why, no,” and I quailed beneath my wife’s eagle 
gaze. 


42 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


If I had married a clerk on a thousand a year — not 
that I ever could have done such a foolish thing,” and 
she poised her head superbly ; but under such circum- 
stances I should have conformed to his style of living. 
But my husband being a partner in an old and respected 
firm — ” 

A junior partner, Elizabeth, with an income of just 
five thousand a year.” 

“In an old and respected firm,” she repeated with the 
utmost dignity, “ and such a position demands a certain 
style. I tried to do my best and to be a happy wife,” 
and her voice quivered ominously. 

“ Get all the bills,” I said, with a husband’s author- 
ity. ^ 

Elizabeth, angel that she is, rose meekly, and after 
much hunting about bureau drawers, writing desks, 
closets, wall pockets, shelves and reticules, produced sun- 
dry folded slips of paper directed to “ Adolphus Stiyker, 
Esq.” 

“ I do not suppose they have all come,” said she, 
rather timidly. 

“ It would be well for us to keep an account hook of 
furnishing and incidentals that are not strictly house- 
keeping,” I remarked in a business-like manner. “I 
will bring one home to-morrow. Meanwhile I will make 
a list of these.” 

The carpet bill was receipted ; another for kitchen 
furnishing, but it seemed to me there was an unnecessary 


OUR WEBBING GIFTS. 


43 


list of china and glass for people who had been so 
weighted with bridal presents. 

Elizabeth,” I ventured, do you not think three 
hundred dollars rather dear for a china dinner set ? I 
thought we had one given to us ? ” and I glanced up 
questioningly. 

It was a tea set, and there was the Brown’s elegant 
dessert service. Now, Adolphus, how could we disgrace 
such gifts as those by a common dinner set ? I could 
have bought one, of course, much cheaper, say seventy- 
five dollars or so, but how would it look beside them ? 
And I thought if we could only have a little, I wanted 
it good. I have not been used to cheap crockery.” 

There was something superb in the scorn with which 
she uttered this. 

Two black walnut bedroom suites at one hundred and 
fifty a piece. I groaned. 

^^Now that you have begun, I expect you will go on 
and find fault with everything. But I don’t see how I 
could have bought a lot of cheap, nasty, shabby stuff, 
when we had so many lovely things given to us. I should 
have been ashamed ever to have the donors come in and 
look me in the face, I really should, Adolphus ! Aunt 
Yon Trump thought I was very — very self-denying, 
and Laura did n’t see hardly how I was to get along — ” 

In such a small house, and with such a little furni- 
ture — ” 

“You are very cruel, Adolphus ! You try to be satir- 


44 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


ical, and wliat’s the other word — oh, ironical ; hut you 
are just cruel and cross, and narrow minded, and I’d 
rather pay for everything out of my own money than to 
have such a fuss ! ” 

“ I am not aware that I have made much of a fuss as 
yet,” I said, grimly. “ I suppose a five hundred dollar 
buffet was bought to accommodate the elegant glass, 
and buhl tables to hold bronzes, and easels to hold pic- 
tures, and — ” 

Oh, do go on, Adolphus ! It looks so generous and 
manly for a man barely six months married to upbraid 
his wife when she has done her very best, and given up so 
many things, for there was such a love of a buffet for 
eight hundred, and I wanted it so, and Laura said — ” 

Here Elizabeth broke down and began to sob. 

I must admit that I was vexed and troubled. I had 
a horror of debt ; more than all, I had planned to use all 
my income, and had no reserve fund. However was I 
to get all these debts paid ? For a moment I wished 
the wedding gifts in limbo. Why, I had heard of people 
whose whole house-furnishing had not exceeded a thous- 
and dollars, but then they had not married a Yon Trump 
niece. 

Do you know of anything more ? ” I asked at length. 

What bills are still to come in ? 

A quivering sob was my only answer. 

How, thought I to myself, I must be firm, even at the 
risk of being considered unfeeling. Elizabeth must be 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


45 

made to understand wliat marrying a poor man really 
means. Why, a year ago I did not call myself poor, and 
thought five thousand quite a princely income. Kitty 
Bromley would have lived like a little queen on that 
sum. 

Elizabeth ! ’’ 

My wife give a sudden start, uttered a strange, tragi- 
ical cry, just as I had heard an actress at a moment of 
pathos, and dropped on the floor at my feet. 

Elizabeth ! ” and my own voice began to falter. My 
dear — ” with sudden gentleness. 

Had she fainted ? What did people do under such 
circumstances ? I tried to raise her ; but her hands fell 
limp at her side. Smelling salts — had we any in the 
house ? What was it, anyhow ? Cologne — there was 
something in some bottle, somewhere ! I danced around 
and snatched up the first thing that came to hand, and 
poured it over her. It was some kind of thick, pinkish- 
white liquid. Then I reached out for another bottle, 
missed my aim, and that went crashing to the floor. 
Elizabeth could not be allowed to die here alone, and 
then I bethought myself that it might have an ugly 
look. I rushed to the hall and shrieked, Lucy ! Lucy ! 
Kate 1 ” rushed back again, clasped the senseless form 
of my wife in my arms, and would have covered her face 
with repentant kisses, but the stuff I had poured over 
her was sticky and had a queer taste as it touched my 
lips. I did not dare lay her on the elegant lace cover 


46 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


of the bed, and there was no lounge or sofa in the apart- 
ment. 

Lucy 1 Lucy ! ” I called again ; then I remembered 
the speaking tube. 

Lucy came running up stairs. 

Mrs. Stryker has fainted,’’ I said. you know 

what to do, Lucy ? or shall I run for a doctor ? I am 
afraid — oh, you do not think her dead, do you.^^ I 
don’t know much about fainting, never having had any 
sisters — ” 

Lucy brought a towel and wiped her face, then bathed 
it — where did she find the cologne so readily ? 

‘‘ I wonder where there is any aromatic hartshorn ? ” 
she asked. 

I stood trembling in a cold chill. What if I had killed 
Elizabeth ? My breath came in great gasps. 

She is n’t dead,” exclaimed Lucy, reassuringly. 

“ Then I had better go for a doctor ; there is one 
just around the corner. But take that stuff off the bed 
and let me lay her there. It seems so heathenish to leave 
her here on the fioor.” 

Lucy disrobed the bed, and I deposited my precious 
burthen on it. I kissed her cold brow, and my tears fell 
on her cheek. What a brute, what a fiend I had been ! 

Then I fiew around to the next street. Doctor Ferris 
fortunately had just come in. I implored him to follow 
me. I dare say he thought me crazy. 

Elizabeth had revived a little. She lay there with 


OVR ^YEDDmG GIFTS. 47 

her eyes half-closed, looking deathly pale, and taking no 
notice of any one. 

The physician advanced, felt of her pulse, studied her 
languid face, and seemed to think intently. 

Had anything occurred to — to — a — disturb the tran- 
quillity of her general demeanor ? ” 

My face turned scarlet, I know. I felt myself a guilty, 
miserable wretch. If Elizabeth died — well, like Cain, I 
should become a fugitive and outcast. 

She was — well, perhaps a little excited, and — as she 
went to rise — she — she fell and fainted.” 

I knew the doctor suspected me. Visions of a coro- 
ner’s inquest and a grand jury presentment, floated 
across my brain. I stood at the bar of justice, scoffed at 
and taunted by my fellow creatures, despised, contemned — 

“A glass part full of water,’’ said Doctor Ferris. 

Lucy placed it on the stand. 

He dropped something into it, and gave her a teaspoon- 
ful. A slight shudder seemed to run over her, then she 
opened her eyes, but closed them again. 

She has very delicate, susceptible nerves, and I should 
say not a great amount of physical strength. Women, 
our American women especially ” — and here the doctor 
gave a bland smile — are proverbially fragile. An undue 
excitement, a little over exertion, and nature speedily 
avenges itself It is only a temporary disorganization, 
but she must be kept extremely quiet, or there may be a 
recurrence of the fainting. Give her a spoonful of this 


48 


OXTR WEDDING GIFTS. 


— say every thirty minutes until twelve, then once an 
hour or two, if she is not sleeping. I think that is all 
that will he necessary.” And the doctor bowed himself 
out with the suavity of a prince. 

I was reprieved. Neither the bar of justice nor the 
mark of Cain awaited me. 


CHAPTER IV. 

I STOOD leaning over the elaborately carved footboard 
of uncle Yon Trump’s gift. The spikes and angles 
stuck into me and gave me a disagreeable sensation, but 
I knew it was nothing to the torture I ought to endure. 
That pale, patient, angelic face stabbed me more keenly 
than any sword could have done. I longed to fall on my 
knees and express my contrition, my anguish, at having 
cost her such suffering. Really, I suppose I had not 
understood Elizabeth’s fragility. I had believed her the 
incarnation of radiant and unbounded health from the 
manner in which she had gone through our wedding 
without a murmur of fatigue. I shivered even now with 
a remembrance of the nausea, the frightful headaches, 
the weak tottering knees, and the peculiar and distinctive 
twinge of pain in which every separate joint of my spine 
had indulged. And how heroically Elizabeth would 
go to a grand dinner, and from thence to Mrs. Somebody’s 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


49 


ball, and dance nearly all night. I must admit that 
Elizabeth was a very elegant dancer — devotee of the 
Terpsichorean art, I should have said, as dancer has a 
very stagey sound. And the manner in which she had 
shopped from morning till night for my unworthy sake 
had led me astray. In fact, I had hardly thought of 
delicate nerves and sensitive temperaments, but now they 
were brought before me with awful solemnity. 

“ If you please, sir,” said Lucy in a low tone, “ I 
think I had better get Mrs. Stryker in bed. She would 
feel more comfortable.” 

There could be no doubt of that. I gathered up my 
litter of papers, and then turned for another look at my 
angel. What would be the proper thing to do — ^kiss her 
and ask her forgiveness before leaving her ? What did 
the heroes of novels do in such cases ? 

Lucy stood watching me with a peculiar expression. I 
noticed now for the first time what a trim figure she 
possessed, and how healthily the pink and white in her 
complexion was blended, without the assistance of velvet 
creams. Her blue eyes were clear and merry, and even 
now had a little twinkle in them. 

‘^Lucy,” I asked hesitatingly, “have you had any 
experience in — in illness ? Did you ever see any one so 
^ much like — like death ? ” and I shivered in every nerve. 

“Oh, yes, I’ve seen people faint,” returned Lucy. 
“ The room was very close and warm I think. She will 
be better to-morrow ; I’ll call you if she desires it.” 


50 


OUR WELDIWU GIFTS. 


Taking that for a dismissal, I walked lightly out of 
the room. Whither should I go ? There was my library 
up stairs, the very nook for a man to creep into and make 
a rigid examination of himself. Here, too, Elizabeth’s 
taste and tenderness would upbraid me and make me feel 
the heinousness of my sin. 

I lighted the gas and my cigar with the same match, 
for I felt a new era of economy must be instituted, and 
it might be that Elizabeth’s fragile health would unfit 
her for such rough and onerous duties. I settled myself 
in one chair and placed my slippered feet carefully on 
another, and for a time resigned myself to the solace of 
my cigar. 

Presently I roused my mind and went over the bills 
again. I found myself nearly two thousand dollars in 
debt. Was there anything else ? I glanced carefully 
about my room. I thought of the chambers, of the 
dining-room. Oh, yes, there were shades and curtains. 
Would two hundred dollars cover it, I wondered. Where 
could I get any money ? When we made up our yearly 
balances next J anuary — but that was so far distant. To 
have tradesmen and shopkeepers sending in duns for 
seven months would be unendurable. To save it out of 
our allowance was impossible ; indeed, after severe 
figuring I was in some doubt as to whether we could live 
on the moderate sum of two hundred and fifty dollars a 
month. And it seemed a misfortune that our weddin«* 

o 

presents should have been so extensive and elaborate 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


51 


Instead of expending next to nothing for furniture, 
as Elizabeth fancied in the exuberance of hope and 
glamor of bridal blindness, we had been actually com- 
pelled to extravagance in order to have a house fine 
enough for our gifts. 

I may as well say here that I had undertaken to cul- 
tivate Timothy McFadden somewhat. We had gone 
in to a little supper, from which the ladies had retired 
after an hour or two, and the men were left to enjoy their 
wine and cigars. But brandy and Bourbon were sand- 
wiched between, and the intellectual part I blush to 
think of even now. True, enormous jobs were talked of 
that could be easily pushed through the senate ” or 
the board,” and what I should have termed swindles 
were laughed over with great jollity. Tongues began 
to grow thick, and oaths frequent, and I was glad to 
leave the charmed circle before I had found out the great 
mystery of How to do it.’ ’ 

Then a few days after, as I was riding up in the street 
car with old Mr. Trask, McFadden bolted in, looking 
rather blear-eyed and flushed. ‘‘H’lo!” he jerked out 
with a nod, and as the car gave a lurch he came down on 
the knee of the passenger next to me, a nice, elderly 
person, who immediately arose and signalled the con- 
ductor. McFadden, to my disgust, plumped into his 
seat. 

Been t’ rousen good dinner,” he announced confiden- 
tially, winking out of one drowsy-looking eye. Bailley 


52 


OJIR WEB mm GIFTS. 


— met ’m t’ other night y’ know,” with another nod — 
gon’ ter E’rup’. Dinner at Delmonico’s. No end ter 
champagne ! Cap’tal chap, Bailley ! Eye teeth cut — ” 
Another lurch nearly threw him into my lap, and gave 
us a sickening waft of something stronger than cham- 
pagne. He recovered his balance, winked at me again 
and nodded in an insolent manner. My face was scarlet 
with shame. I made a vow then and there to cease in 
my endeavors to cultivate Tim McFadden. 

For several blocks we listened to his maudlin rambling, 
until mortified beyond endurance I stopped the car and 
sprang out. 

Do you know much about that fellow, McFadden ? ” 
asked my senior partner the next morning. 

I have met him a number of times this winter,” I 
answered carelessly. 

Ah — your wife’s uncle has some political afiiliations, 
has he not ? And this McF adden is in one of the worst 
gangs that ever cursed our city. Adolphus, you are 
young, but if you will take an old man's advice, you will 
keep clear of all such associations. They are regular 
gamblers. They decoy honest people into their traps, 
rob them of their reputation and their money, and kick 
them out when they are done with them. An honest 
man gains nothing by entering a den of thieves.” 

“ I do not think I have any head for politics,” I re- 
turned, and such men are simply disgusting ; ” which 
I felt was the truth. 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


53 


They are never any credit to a business man.” 

True, the next time I saw Tim he was comparatively 
^ sober and quite gentlemanly. But I had an internal 
conviction that the devious ways of politics were beyond 
my comprehension. There was no chance of my making 
a fortune in that line. What then was to be done ? 

Lucy came up and tapped at the door. 

Mrs. Stryker would like to see you,” she announced. 

She seems a little revived.” 

I rushed to the window to air the cigar smoke out of 
my clothes. How unfeeling I had been to indulge in 
cigars when my darling lay half unconscious ! I was 
amazed at the depth of depravity in the masculine soul, 
and resolved to don my dressing gown so that it might 
be less apparent to the keen sense of justice. 

I entered the room timidly. “ Adolphus,” said my 
wife in a weak, faint voice. 

My precious darling,” I responded, and bent over to 
kiss her hand that lay so lily pale outside the blanket. 

“ Sit down here beside me, love. No, don’t speak. I 
can hardly bear the sound of a voice yet. It was very 
weak, I know, but I do not possess nerves of iron. Did 
I frighten you very much ? I am so sorry, Adolphus ! ” 

I clasped her hand in a transport of tenderness. That 
she should be so noble and forgiving, when I — 

My darling,” 1 stammered. In what words of peni- 
tence could I clothe my passionate regret ? 


54 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS, 


She raised her hand to entreat silence, and gave a long, 
quivering sigh. 

■ I know you do love me, Adolphus,” she said, mag-% 
nanimously. ^^Let us forget the momentary trouble. 
Sit here by me, dear, only remember that I cannot be 
excited. My nerves are so sensitive.” 

, I held her hand in mine. She closed her eyes, and the 
deathliness of her appearance shocked me. I turned my 
eyes away at length to the dim gas light that threw 
shadows about the room, and gave the great carved 
bureau top a grotesque appearance. The city clocks 
were striking ten. 

I sat there until I began to feel cramped and tired. 
The street grew very still. If I had dared to move — but 
Elizabeth appeared to be asleep, and I dreaded to disturb 
her. Eleven. She roused a trifle. 

Adolphus, could you give me my medicine ? ” she 
sighed faintly. 

I am afraid I did it rather awkwardly. However, she 
repaid me with a sweet smile. 

I wound my watch, I gave a little cough and sauntered 
to the window. 

Adolphus, I wonder if it toould be asking too much 
to have you watch an hour or two ? I can hardly think 
that I will have another nervous spasm ; but I might. 

I ought to have the medicine regularly. You could call 
Lucy — ” 

I scouted the idea. I should only be too happy to 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


55 


watch my darling. I picked out the easiest chair, and 
if I could have indulged in a cigar ! but that of course 
was impossible. 

Candor compels me to state that I became very sleepy. 
I even think I indulged in some surreptitious naps. It 
would never do for me to lie down ; I should forget the 
hours. 

Adoiphus,” said Elizabeth some time after midnight, 

I am quite certain I heard a noise at the basement win- 
dows. Will you not go down and see ? ” 

The silver has been brought up here,” I said. 

‘^But, my dear, I am so doubly sensitive to-night. 
The carpets, you know, could be destroyed, and my 
beautiful glass carried away. And those bronzes and 
the Majolica — do Adolphus — ” and her voice became 
tremulous. 

I started up. 

“ Take your pistol, dear. And look if everything is 
safe in the parlor. Oh, there is the noise again ! ” 

I heard nothing ; but my heart began to beat. How 
should I encounter two or three burglars ! I groped 
down the stairs and lighted the hall burner, flaring it up 
suddenly. Ho masked face or brawny flgure met my 
gaze. I peered cautiously down the basement way and 
listened. Hot even the nibbling of a mouse. That gave 
me courage, and I pressed onward to the fray. The 
doors and windows were securely barred. The kitchen 
table contained the remnants of a feast, and I surely de- 


56 


0 UR WEDDim QlFm. 


tected wine in tlie glasses. I was unroman tically hungry, 
and helped myself to a cream biscuit and some cold 
tongue. 

Oh,” sighed Elizabeth in a distressed tone as I re- 
turned ; I was sure you had been killed, Adolphus. 
How many were there ? ” and her eyes were wild with a 
feverish light. 

There was no one, my dear. Compose yourself. 
Everything was perfectly safe.” 

She was in such a tremor that it took me sometime 
to quiet her. Towards morning we both went soundly 
asleep ; but I woke with a headache and a cramp in my 
back. .1 breakfasted alone. Kate was regaling Lucy 
with some story in the back kitchen. 

‘^It got to be just dreadful, that it did ! Every few 
nights he a bein’ called up and goin’ for the doctor at 
dead of night, and she a kickin’ and screechin’ and 
screamin’, and the doctor, a young good lookin’ man, a 
pet tin’ and soothin’ and callin’ of it spasms. And one 
night the young doctor bein’ away, old doctor Green 
come in ’nd just gev her a look. ^ ’Stericks,’ says he^ 

‘ ’stericks ! Throw a little cold water onto her and 
leave her alone to scream it out.’ With that he turned 
on his heel, and a madder women you never saw.” 

Could it be possible that some men had such wives ? 
I asked myself. Then I thought of my patient and 
angelic Elizabeth. 

She asked me to stop on my way down and leave a 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


57 


message for aunt Yon Trump, and to her dear Laura as 
well. She kissed me aifectionately, and hoped she would 
feel strong enough to get up presently. 

Where could I raise any money ? Mr. Trask was very 
particular about young men beginning life within their 
income. He had already given me much good advice. I 
cudgelled my brains ; I wrote a note to Ned Bromley, 
then tore it up. I went home without having settled 
upon anything. Elizabeth had been up in Central Park 
all the afternoon, driving with Laura McFadden, and was 
now very tired and languid and sweet, and had her din- 
ner sent up stairs. 

Yan Brickelbach came to call in the evening. 

I must make an effort and go down,’’ said Elizabeth, 
faintly. “ Yan is going to the Adirondacks and I 
would not miss seeing him this last time, surely. I will 
only keep him a few moments.” 

I knew this was a gentle hint that I need not leave 
the comfort of my dressing gown and slippers. I may as 
well confess that I retired to my library and solaced 
myself with a cigar, still wondering where I could raise 
money to pay these dreaded bills. 

Fortune favored me in a small amount. Ned Brom- 
ley kindly loaned me a thousand. But the bill for cur- 
tains, cornices, lambrequins and shades came in — eleven 
hundred and fifty-two dollars. 1 thrust it in my desk 
and said nothing to Elizabeth. 

She informed me a few days after that she did not 


58 


OXTIt WED Dim GIFTS. 


consider ifc worth while to do anything about a waiter 
boy at present, as everybody would be going out of the 
city soon. We had two or three little entertainments 
that were very stylish. Ned’s sister, Mrs. Walton, came 
up for a few days, and I j^roposed they should be asked 
to a quiet dinner. Elizabeth acceded most graciously. 

I came home early that afternoon. I wondered just a 
trifle if they would be overwhelmed by our grandeur. I 
hoped especially that my plain, honest, good-hearted 
cousin Carrie Walton would be dressed in a manner that 
would not offend Elizabeth’s ideas. Kitty always looked 
well. 

However, I need not have distressed myself. Mrs. 
Walton, in her brown silk and soft lace ruff, looked every 
inch a lady. Kitty was bright, vivacious and delightful. 
Mrs. Walton had brought her daughter, a pretty, laugh- 
ing, chestnut-haired young damsel of fourteen, who was 
quite irrepressible. . 

Oh, what a funny old jar I ’’ she cried. And see 
here, mother, there are some dishes just like old Mammy 
Green’s ! Why do you keep them in the parlor, cousin ? 
And what an odd pitcher with a broken spout ! Oh, 
cousin, what are these queer faces — 

That is some rare Kepousse,” explained Elizabeth, 
kindly ; “ and that, my dear, is a Palissy, a genuine 
specimen. And that is a Pompeiian vase. That is con- 
sidered one of the most beautiful of antique jars, and 
that is a specimen of Cloisonn6 enamel.” 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


59 


Dora looked at them with wondering eyes. 

They are very valuable indeed/’ my wife continued, 
with immense satisfaction. 

Do you think they are really pretty ? ” asked honest 
Dora. ^^Now, this is beautiful,” and she pointed to an 
exquisite china cup. 

‘‘ That was painted for Marie Antoinette ; but, my 
child, it is not half the value of many other things, for 
it is not half so old.” 

“ But I don’t suppose in real old times people made 
everything pretty, or did their work well any more than 
we do now, and no doubt there were people deficient in 
taste and the true idea of beauty, and they made ugly 
things which have been handed down along with the 
pretty ones ; and the funny point is now, that even we 
can’t decide the question because it is the fashion to wor- 
ship old things,” and the young iconoclast glanced fear- 
lessly up in the face of my august Elizabeth, who seemed 
to study her as if she were a new and unusual specimen. 

They were among my wedding gifts,” was the lofty 
but gracious reply. Rare and unusual articles are 
generally more highly esteemed.” 

Oh ! ” said Dora with a sagacious nod, and then she 
seemed to fall into a brown study. 

Ned came in to dinner, and in his off-hand, sociable 
way, dispelled the remaining stiffness. I had not en- 
joyed a company dinner so much since I had been a 
householder. Our elegant silver, china and glass were 


60 


OUR WEDDINa GIFTS. 


out, though we did not have wine, I had also suggested 
to Elizabeth the propriety of not keeping the decanters 
on the sideboard filled, unless special occasions required it. 

I hope we shall see you down to Longport this sum- 
mer, as usual, Adolphus,” said Mrs. Walton, with her 
cordial smile, I think Mrs, Stryker would find a good 
deal to interest her, especially when the hotels are filled. 
We are quite gay, I assure you,” turning to Elizabeth ; 

and Dora has just come in possession of a pony, which 
will prove a great source of entertainment, doubtless. 
We should be veiy glad to see you both.” 

My wife promised courteously. Ned laughingly in- 
vited us to come up and take a cup of tea and a little 
bread and butter with them, and so we bowed our guests 
out. I felt quite elated. My relatives compared very 
favorably in point of good behavior with my wife’s 
friends. 

And this reminds me, Adolphus,” said she, as we 
were pursuing our way leisurely up stairs, ‘^we have 
made no plans yet for the summer. Where are we to 
go?” 

Gro ” I repeated in surprise, 

^^Yes. Do you know it is actually the middle of 
June ? Two weeks later there will not be a soul in the 
city.” 

‘^Eeally! I never remember New York in that de- 
plorably depopulated condition.” 

How provoking you are, Adolphus, You know what 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


61 


I mean — no one really worth seeing. Uncle Von Trump 
has taken a cottage at Long Branch. Laura is going 
down for a few weeks, and then to the Saratoga races, 
and everywhere, and the Thompsons have bought at 
Newport. I don’t care much for Newport ; it is grown 
to be rather a poky place, unless you can own your 
own cottage and your four-in-hand. But we must go 
somewhere.” 

I shall be very busy,” I replied. Keep is travelling 
and Mr. Trask always goes to Cayuga Lake for six 
weeks. Then I take the last two weeks of August.” 

It is a shame you should work so hard,” cried Eliza- 
beth, indignantly. 

I do not know that I work any harder than Keep,” I 
replied ; but more is expected of a junior partner, and 
then I was away in the winter.” 

‘•Adolphus, you don’t mean to keep me in the city all 
through the hot, unhealthy summer, do you ? ” and 
Elizabeth turned her tearful eyes full upon me. “I 
never have been used to it. I do not know how I could 
stand it.” 

“ You might go with your aunt,” I suggested, rather 
hesitatingly. 

“Yes, I might. Aunt Von Trump has been generous 
enough to invite me for a month. The cottage is not 
large, and uncle Von Trump must entertain some of his 
pohtical friends. And I do think, Adolphus, it is a 
very painful and mortifying thing to have to go and live 


62 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


on your friends, when you are married,” and Elizabeth 
wiped away some tears. 

My dear, I should be sorry to have you. Circum- 
stances have cramped me somewhat,” I went on cau- 
tiously. There are certain bills I must pay as soon as 
possible. Another summer I may be easier in money 
matters ; but just now — and the last of August we will 
go down to Longport.” 

Very well, Adolphus. I must resign myself to my 
fate,” with a pathetic sigh. 

The inevitable and inexorable necessity, having mar- 
ried a poor man. Oh, my darling, will you not some 
day regret it ? ” 

Elizabeth leaned back in her chair and siofhcd aorain, 
with her eyes half closed, and her lips quivering. 

No, Adolphus,” said she bravely. I may regret 
the poverty, the many straits and mortifications ; but I 
shall never repent having married ^/ow.” 

The man whom such a confession would not have 
transported to the seventh heaven, is a base, unfeeling 
wretch, and does not deserve to live. 

As the weather became warmer I remarked that Eliza- 
beth grew languid and pale, and I began to consider 
whether it would do to keep her in the city. Indeed, 
one night she was seized with faintness, and Lucy and I 
had our hands full until morning, when I dispatched the 
girl for the regular family physician, who had known all 
about her from a child. 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


63 


That very day Spinning & Co. sent their collector 
down to the office. I was so thankful that Trask 
happened to be out. “ If I could not pay it all, could 
I oblige them with part ? They were sorry to ask it, but 
they had large bills falling due July 1st.” 

The hot blood rushed to my face. I had never been 
actually dunned before. And where was I to raise 
eleven hundred and fifty dollars ? Yet I surely could 
not run the risk of having the bill come in again when 
Trask might be present. 

Would a note for — say thirty days — be any ac- 
commodation ? ” I asked, desperately. 

“ Certainly,” responded the man, obsequiously ; ‘Hhey 
would be very thankful to have it.” 

I wrote it out, and the man bowed a most polite 
adieu. There was still nine hundred to be provided for. 
We had spent more than our allowance in May, since 
seventy-five dollars for a bridal gift had come out of it. 
And when the bills for June came to be paid — 

Then a bright thought entered my mind. What if I 
should send Elizabeth away for two months, dismiss the 
servants, and economize ? I could live so cheaply ; 
then, too, I could plan how I was to get out of this slough 
of debt. 

I found Elizabeth still in bed on my return. I bent 
over and kissed her pale brow. 

I did not think I was so fragile, my dear,” she said, 


64 


OUR WEDDma GIFTS. 


in a weak voice, and her smile was sweetly sad. It 
touched me to the heart. 

^‘Elizabeth, I am convinced that you must have 
change of air,” I began, seriously. 

Just what good old Dr. Dupuy said. I suppose I 
have over-exerted myself. I was so interested in the 
house-furnishing, and so anxious to get the best bar- 
gains that could be found. Then, too, housekeeping 
was quite a new thing to me, and I used to think I could 
endure so much.” 

You will have to go without me, for I shall be very 
busy, and I think it would be better to shut up the 
house, or at least discharge the servants. I will come 
home every night to sleep and see that matters are safe, 
and get my meals down town.” 

Dear Adolphus, how good you are to make such sacri- 
fices for me. I think I should like to go to Long Branch. 
Laura is going down with her horses and carriage ; the 
children and the nurse are to be sent to some farm house 
in a healthy locality, and she will be quite alone. She 
will have a suite of rooms, but I could have a connect- 
ing chamber and use her parlor, and my board would be 
but fifteen dollars a week. Then when she left I would 
spend a little time with aunt Von Trump, and then be 
ready to go Longport with you. Laura mentioned this 
plan before, but I was afraid it would not be practicable. 
Do you think it best to shut up the house ? ” 

There would be no use of keeping two girls two 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 65 

months, that I see. The wages alone would be sixty 
dollars.” 

Still, we might not be able to get them back, and 
Kate is such an excellent cook.” 

But I could live so much cheaper at a restaurant. 
And then,” as a thought occurred to me, the house, 
you know, would be entirely at h6r mercy. She might 
give parties and invite in all her friends.” 

How ridiculous ! The silver must be packed and 
sent to the bank, and all the small articles of value put 
into the safe. And she is perfectly honest. 

“ Except where wine is concerned.” 

Adolphus, you cannot buy all the virtues for sixteen 
dollars a month,” said my wife, with the air of impar- 
tial justice balancing her scales. ^^And we can keep 
our wine out of her reach, only it does look queer to 
see empty decanters after there has been company. I 
dare say she will tell all that at her next place.” 

It would be so much cheaper,” I urged, and I 
have a number of bills to pay through the course of the 
summer.” 

You’ll do just as you like ; men always do,” returned 
my angel, with an air of petulance, as she generously 
gave up the argument. 

The next day she went out riding with Mrs. McFad- 
den, and the matter was settled. Best of all, Lucy was 
to accompany them. Kate was in high dudgeon at thus 
finding herself homeless at so short a notice. Indeed, 


66 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


she would never come back to any one who had used 
her so meanly. Not but that she could get plenty of 
places ” — doors were hospitably standing open for her by 
her own account. Her month was not ended until the 
10th, but I was glad to i)ay her full wages and let her 
go on the 1st. 

The tea set and some important pieces of silver were 
packed and sent to the bank. Then I filled the safe 
with what was left, and sundry valuable parlor orna- 
ments. Elizabeth’s trunks were duly locked and strapped 
and sent on their way. She had improved exceedingly 
during the last week, and when I bade her good-bye on 
the steamboat, I was really rejoiced to see her so fresh 
and blooming and brisk in all her movements. I was to 
be sure to come down now and then. 

I returned to my solitary home, looked carefully 
around to see that all the doors were locked and windows 
barred, then retired to my library, where I smoked a 
cigar or two, and then looked over my accounts. 
The indebtedness was quite appalling. How could I 
have been so reckless, so perfectly wild ! -And how 
was I to get out of it with clear hands ? It might 
be possible that at the end of the year there would be a 
small balance to divide — and how fervently I hoped, nay, 

I do believe I prayed. At all events I addressed myself 
seriously to the task, and economized to the utmost. I 
found a friend, of whom I borrowed fifteen hundred dol- 
lars for six months, took up my note and paid several 


OUR WEDDim GIFTS. 67 

smaller bills, and found myself at the first of August 
still three hundred dollars behind. 

Courage,” I said to myself. ‘‘ When Elizabeth re- 
turns we will talk the matter over, and try our utmost 
to live in a different manner. She will see that it is not 
possible to go on at this rate.” 

I went nowhere except to Ned Bromley’s. Now and 
then of an evening we would stroll up to Central Park, 
and sitting somewhere at our ease, Ned would plan out 
his country place ; the cosy house ; the garden and 
fruit ; the pretty Alderney cow ; the Leghorns, Cochins, 
Spanish and Houdans he was to keep, and, above all, the 
pony. At times I was almost filled with envy. _ There 
could be no such dreams for me. 


CHAPTEK Y. 

After Mrs. McFadden left Long Branch, Elizabeth 
went to her aunt’s. I had been down to spend one Sun-r 
day, and found it quite expensive, but now went on 
special invitation. It seemed to me that uncle Yon 
^ Trump looked fatter and redder than ever, and strongly 
suggestive of apoplexy. Elizabeth was full of engage- 
ments, and having a splendid time. She had accepted 
an invitation to spend a fortnight with some people who 


68 


OXIR WEDDING GIFTS. 


lived in a perfect palace up the Hudson and were going 
to have a regular crush, with a ball, and dinner, and 
private theatricals, and all manner of gaieties. She 
wanted some clothes and various articles, and had a list 
all made out for me to hunt up, and pack, and send by 
express. Mrs. McFadden had not wanted to take Lucy 
to Saratoga, but aunt Yon Trump had been very glad 
to have her, and now my wife would take her up to Laurel 
Park, as she would need a maid, and Lucy was such a 
treasure. And, of course, she must have a little money. 

Consequently my indebtedness did not decrease much 
through August. The second week in September Eliza- 
beth and her maid returned, very much jaded, I 
thought, and quite too tired to make the visit to Long- 
port. However, I had given it up, and was not disap- 
pointed. 

“Adolphus,” said my wife, the next morning, “'will 
you stop at Mrs. Pratt’s and tell her to send me a first- 
class cook without delay We must get in working 
order as soon as possible, for I have invited some friends 
to spend two or three days next week. Lucy can manage 
a day or two, but I need her to help unpack and 
straighten out. We ought to have a good stout woman 
to do some cleaning. Aunt Yon Trump has a colored 
man and his wife, only they do charge so,” and Elizabeth 
bent her eyes upon me entreatingly. 

I am afraid we cannot afford them then,” I answered, 
briefiy, as I walked away. 


OVR WEDDING GIFTS, 


69 


I came home to find Elizabeth, not exactly in tears, 
but in that frame of mind which, if she had not been 
my wife, I should have called a towering passion. 

Adolphus, are you sure no one has been in the house 
during your absence ? Were you always in through the 
evening ? And was everything well locked up when 
you went to bed ? ” 

Why, what has happened ? ” 

Happened ! I have had Lucy looking over the glass 
and china, and would you believe it ? ever so many pieces 
of my dinner set have disappeared, and four of my 
elegant dessert plates, and wine glasses and goblets — ” 

‘‘ There were more valuable articles in the house, and 
much that would be more attractive to a thief,” I an- 
swered. Besides, I was very careful.” 

But where can they have gone ? ” 

I had the patent lock put on the china closet, you 
know, and I have never opened it myself. They could 
not have been stolen while you were away. What would 
any one want of a few odd dishes. More than likely 
Kate broke them.” 

Kate ! You always were so prejudiced against that 
girl, for some strange reason.” 

Why, no ; I liked her very well, only I did not think 
I could afford to keep an expensive cook for myself. 
Was anything in the closet disturbed ? ” 

‘^Lucy said it looked just as it did when they were 
packed, but she did not count. But, Adolphus, no girl 


70 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


could break so much in two months ! Lucy thinks she 
was very careful.” 

“ Them depend upon it, she took them away.” 

“ What would she want of such things ? ” 

Maybe she gave them to some of her numerous cous- 
ins to ornament their houses.” 

What a wretched joke, Adolphus ! And now they 
must be matched, and I’m sure I don’t know how it will 
be done unless I have them painted to order. I dare say 
you never thought to stop at the bank ? ” 

I did not imagine there was any hurry.” 

But I want it at home,” declared Elizabeth, imperi- 
ously. A stranger might have thought her it, meant 
the bank. I knew it referred to our bridal silver. 

The next day Lucy found some pieces of the dessert 
service in an ash barrel in the cellar. That established 
my point. 

Our new cook came, a stout, brawny Irish woman. 
She was good natured, could broil and roast to perfec- 
tion, but was very heavy handed on the china. 

“ Sure thin, it’s jist aigg shells thim cups air, an’ if ye 
want me to stay ye must get the kind ye kin drop on 
the flure widout iver a bit iv a crack,” announced Bridget. 

But alas ! The very first Sunday evening Bridget 
was brought home by two cousins, so elevated in tone 
that in the course of the next hour we had to send for 
an officer and have her removed. She was succeeded by 
a very incompetent Ann, who in turn was supplanted by 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


71 


a very tolerable Mary, who was a fair plain cook, but her 
cakes had the appearance of a bullet-like lightness, and 
her pies were of a leathery consistency. 

However, Mrs. Marshall and her two daughters came. 
There was a round of teas and dinners and young men. 
Elizabeth was a charming hostess, and the ladies de- 
clared themselves delighted, and made us both promise 
to return the visit next summer. 

“But I am so sorry Von Bricklebach was not in the 
city,” sighed Elizabeth “ He would have liked Anastasie 
Marshall so very much. I know he would have wanted 
to paint her. Just the fair, calm, impassive loveliness 
he adores, and just the kind of woman a man with an 
artistic soul should marry.” 

“ That pretty young girl ! Why, you surely would n’t 
marry her to that thin, old parchment-colored chap, 
who is as fussy and nervous as a — a — ” 

“ Adolphus, you know nothing about art or artistic 
temperaments, and your remarks on such subjects are 
perfectly ridiculous. Any handsome young girl might 
well be proud of marrying such a man. Why, society 
worships him, and his verdict establishes a thing at once. 
I wish you knew as much as Van Bricklebach.” 

“ My dear,” I said with some maliciousness, I must 
confess, “ I should be content if I knew enough to get 
out of debt.” 

Elizabeth curled her lip, gave a haughty turn to her 
queenly head, and amused herself the remainder of the 


72 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


evening by soaring into the realms of high art, and drop- 
ping me disdainful crumbs. 

‘‘ Two grand surprises ! ” she exclaimed on ' my return 
the next evening. Another wedding gift ! ” 

Has some one just heard of your marriage ? ” 1 in- 
quired, in a blandly ironical tone. “ Who is this be- 
nighted individual ? ” 

She would not feel flattered by the reception of her 
gift. Eeally, Adolphus — ’’ and Elizabeth indulged in 
a half smile. 

This young woman was no doubt thinking of her 
own wedding ; indeed, it may be near at hand, and she 
sent the gift with malice prepense — ” 

You have guessed so exactly, Adolphus.” 

I shall put a placard on the house with this signifi- 
cant warning — ^ No presents received.’ I shall — ” 

You had better box this and send it back to the 
fair donor, and let her know at once how ungrateful a 
plan’s heart can become — ” 

Under much and severe provocation,” I interrupted. 
Well, let us inspect this wonderful gift. Where have 
you hidden this treasure ? ” 

Elizabeth went into the adjoining room and returned 
with a mysterious something covered with her handker- 
chief. But before she could deposit it in my lap it had 
uttered a funny, half-plaintive little mew and reared its 
head. 

\ Now, I must confess that I am fond of cats. Some 


OUIt WEDDING GIFTS. 


73 


cats may be treacherous, and thievish and sly, but I 
have known dogs and human beings with the same mys- 
terious traits. I grant that they, the cats, seem born with 
an innate propensity to make night hideous, but a clean, 
soft, well-behaved cat, sitting before your fire and purring 
contentedly, gives you a cheerful feeling at once. If I 
had a grate fire I should want a cat to round out the 
picture. 

“ Who sent that ? ” I asked, laughingly, as a pretty 
Maltese kitten with a blue ribbon around its neck, dropped 
into my lap. 

Here is its letter of introduction.” 

It was Dora Walton’s rather large, round hand, quite 
unlike the school-girl chirograpby of my day, and it 
began — “ Dear Cousins Adolphus and Elizabeth.” 

It was directed in that manner,” explained my wife. 

A very well dressed countryman brought it, and I was 
so amazed that I opened it at once. A nice, chatty 
letter it is, too.” 

Dora had been deeply disappointed at our non-appear- 
ance through the summer. My heart smote me as I 
perused her tender, girlish upbraiding. I, at least, 
might have gone down for a few days, but I had been so 
full of perplexity, so little in any mood of enjoyment. 
After her visit and her inspection of our numerous bridal 
presents, she had wanted so much to send us a gift, but 
her mother had laughed at her, and said we would not 
care for anything she could afford to buy. And you 


74 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


had so many tidies and mats and everything I knew how 
to make, but then I remembered you did n’t have any 
kitty, and a real, true Maltese is quite a rarity, for the 
kittens are very delicate and hard to raise, but this is a 
real beauty. I hope cousin Elizabeth is fond of cats. 
I know you are, and so I send it with my very best love, 
although it is so long since your wedding. I remember 
your house with a great deal of pleasure ; it is like a 
handsome palace or a museum, and what lots of friends 
you must have had to send you so much.” 

I glanced up at Elizabeth. What are you going to 
do about it ? ” I asked. 

This remark may not strike the reader as being quite 
original, but I beg to assure him at the period in which 
I write it had not become famous, nor been incorporated 
with the slang of the day. 

“Why, I must confess to a fondness for a pretty 
kitten,” returned Elizabeth, laughingly. “ I should not 
admit it if I were single, but now it can do no harm.” 

“ Dear little Dora ! How gratified she will be. I am 
sorry we could not have made the visit.” 

“Why couldn’t we go now? Take some Saturday 
afternoon and return on Monday.” 

“ To be sure,” I answered, much pleased with the sug- 
gestion, as I stroked satin smooth Maltie, who in turn 
rubbed my hand and looked grateful out of her emerald 
eyes. “ But you said two surprises ! ” 

“ The other is a marriage. You can’t guess 1” 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


75 


“Not unless it is your hero Van Bricklehach.” 

“No I How absurd. Mr. Collins and Miss St. John. 
It has taken everybody by surprise, for no one thouglit 
Mr. Collins a marrying man. What legions of girls have 
been thrown at his head I ” 

“ Kather hard for the young women.’’ 

“ Oh, Adolphus, you do take everything so literally. 
My goodness 1 think of a cloud of girls flying through 
the air I ” 

“ The man would succumb at once.” 

“ But no one would ever know which girl carried off 
the honors ! ” and Elizabeth laughed. “ Addie Knox 
was just crazy after him. She did act like a fool. So 
did Belle Carrick. Well, no one can accuse me of wear- 
ing the willow, and Elizabeth bridled her head proudly. 

“ And now comes the tug of war. What shall we 
give them ? ” and I thought over the lamentable state 
of my finances. 

“ She sent me that link bracelet with rubies. It’s a 
great clumsy thing, and makes your wrist look fright- 
fully large, and I half suspect it was one she had. I 
know she did have a pair with very handsome emeralds, 
and it is the easiest thing in the world to have jewels 
changed, and any old article polished up.” 

“Why,” I made answer, “ that is a cheap way to re- 
pay obligations and get rid of your old stock. Can’t you 
send some of your numerous gifts ? It seems to me that 
we could spare a few.” 


76 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


Adolphus ! ” reproachfully ; all my gifts were on 
exhibition, and it would be remarked ; besides, the 
Collins will live in style, and they will be nice friends 
to have, so I would not be mean for anything. Mr. 
Collins sent my beautiful crystal, you know ; being in 
the business, it did n’t cost him so much, of course. But 
we must think of something. They are to have a grand 
evening reception, and go to Washington.” 

I groaned inwardly. There was no help for it I 
plainly understood. It was one of the debts of society, 
that like gambling losses, must be paid if it beggared 
one. And there was no knowing where it -would stop. 
Every friend of Elizabeth’s would get married in the 
course of time, or their children, or their grandchildren. 
I wondered if the obligation of wedding gifts descended 
any further in the social scale. 

Elizabeth was in such a magnificent humor, that I 
felt I would be standing in my own light or comfort to 
argue any point with her. E-epublican homes, like other 
institutions of wisdom and beneficence, need a certain 
degree of toleration, for if the privileges and sinecures 
of the upper house be infringed upon, no stronghold of 
library or study is proof against well-planned attacks, 
sorties, surprises, and much miscellaneous skirmishing. 
And after all, I had only to foot the bill. The racking 
anxiety ; the hours of intense and wearing comparison, 
as to conflicting claims of bronze, engraving, painting, 
solid silver, laces and fashionable bijouterie ; the long 


OVB WEDDim GIFTS. ’ 77 

and wearisome tramps ; the snubs and sulky looks of 
clerks. Was I not spared all this ? 

For the next week we had wedding gifts served up in 
every shape. As our Mary was rather a failure with 
the cuisine, it did make a variety. Elizabeth called upon 
one friend and another, and learned by adroit questioning 
what they proposed to send. She did not mean to be 
duplicated this time, if human foresight could avoided it. 

There ! ” she announced in triumph, as she displayed 
two hideous oval pictures, the design of which would 
certainly have suited any old Quaker martyr in Fox’s 
book, for they were not the likeness of anything on the 
earth or beneath the waters, at least there was one thing 
that seemed to commence a toad, develop a lobster, con- 
tinue a tortoise and end in a fish, and might have been a 
brilliant exponent of the Darwin theory, though I was 
glad nothing of the kind had survived ; also that I had 
not been alive to fish in those days. What nerves men 
must have had when the softly gliding icthyosaurus and 
plesiosaurus sported in the circling waves, and the grace- 
ful Megatherium glanced out from pre- Adamic forest. 
True, they have not found the individual ; but modern 
science unearths every thing sooner or later. 

“ What may those be ? ” I inquired, mildly, while a 
shiver ran down my spinal column. 

^‘Plaques, my dear,” she responded severely, and I 
knew then her conscience was entirely at rest. Limoges 
plaques, to be put up in a dining-room. I happened to 


78 


OUB WEB Dim GIFTS. 


meet Van Bricklebach and Preston Caruth, who is a great 
collector of antiques, you know. Nothing can deceive 
him, and he said those were remarkable.” 

“ That is just the word — remarkable,” I replied. 

Of course I do not expect you to appreciate them, 
Adolphus. One’s perception and taste, and ever so many 
other qualities, have to be severely trained before one can 
understand the wonderful design and superior workman- 
ship. They were one hundred and twenty dollars — very 
cheap, Caruth said, and there will he nothing like them, 
I know. So much better than perishable laces and frip- 
frapperies, and I knew she would have loads of silver. 
Beside, such things as these give one a reputation for a 
higher style of mind. It takes no genius to go to 
Stewart’s and buy point lace.” 

I was really thankful no one had done quite so fearfully 
by us. To sit down at a meal and have that horrible thing 
staring you in the face, would be enough to take away 
one’s appetite. 

We went to the reception, and found with much ela- 
tion there was nothing like our gift. Miss De Witt, a 
tall, thin spinster, who wore tinted glasses, and had 
entered several pictures at the academy, stood over them, 
her hands clasped in rapture. Elizabeth was wild with 
delight at being thus appreciated. 

Half a dozen other marriages occurred between this 
and Christmas ; but they were not very much. Twenty 
or thirty dollars’ worth of silver settled them ; yet in the 


OVR WEDDING GIFTS. 


79 


aggregate I found it had cost me one hundred and forty 
dollars. Then my charmer had to he indulged in some 
new attire. Even her Worth dress was pronounced 
passe, and she admitted to me in the privacy of marital 
confidence that it was a humbug ; but still it gave one 
tone and style. 

We had also signalized the first anniversary of our 
marriage by a regular party. The parlors had been 
packed, and I think it was about as uncomfortable as any 
torture modern civilization has invented. During the 
festivities there was a considerable slaughter of glass and 
china, and a Majolica vase had been thrown down and 
broken. The bills and damages footed up nearly fom* 
hundred dollars, but Elizabeth gave me her solemn as- 
surance that it would never be necessary to do the same 
thing again. She had paid her debt to society, and 
established her claim. 

But how were all these things to be met ? Like many 
another I was in the whirl, and put off the evil day as 
long as possible. The opening of the year might bring 
me a little surplus, and I prayed devoutly for such to be 
the case. Meanwhile, I borrowed money of friends until 
I began to be ashamed to look them squarely in the face. 


80 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS, 


CHAPTEK YL 

It was the week before Christmas. Our furnace had 
acted like a thing possessed of a demon ; if you had any 
heat you were half suffocated with gas ; if you turned 
the draughts on, the heat escaped up the chimney. 
Elizabeth and I sat shivering over our dining-room 
register, she with watery eyes and a bad cold in her head. 

There was a furious ring at the door bell. 

Lucy ran down, wild-eyed with fright, and exclaimed 
tremulously, Oh, ma’am ! Oh, Mr. Stryker ! It’s 
Mr. Yon Trump. He’s had a stroke, the man said, 
or a fit of apoplexy.” 

Elizabeth screamed and threw herself into my arms. 

“ And you’re to come round right away. Oh, Mrs. 
Stryker, do n’t faint.” 

Elizabeth rose with the occasion, figuratively as well 
as in the material pose. In a slightly nasal and deeply 
sepulchral tone, she exclaimed, “ My dear Adolphus I 
We must go at once. Poor aunt Yon Trump ! Hot a 
soul in the house but servants ! ” Then she fell to 
weeping on my neck, and after that we marched up stairs 
to make ourselves ready. 

We found the house literally full. Servants were run- 
ning to and fro, two or three doctors were present and 
political friends began to gather. Uncle Yon Trump 


OTIR WEDBim GIFTS. 


81 


had been taken to the sitting-room up stairs. Aunt 
Von Trump was wringing her hands, while the maid 
stood over her with restoratives. Elizabeth rushed to 
her arms, and they mingled their tears together. 

Somewhere towards morning it was decided that uncle 
Von Trump was really dead. He had partaken of a 
very hearty dinner, it seemed, and sat quite awhile over 
his wine. Presently he had fallen from his chair, hut ns 
James undertook to raise him upon his feet, he found, 
to use his expressive hut somewhat vulgar' phraseology, 

that it was something more than common.” 

I started down town about nine o’clock laden with 
messages and errands. I ran in to see Mr. Trask, and 
explain that I must necessarily he absent for several 
days. Then I returned, and Elizabeth desired me to go 
home and hunt up all her jewelry and put it in the safe, 
lock the bureau drawers and the wardrobe, all of which 
commissions I executed with the utmost ability and 
promptitude. 

I will pass briefly over a melancholy week. Uncle 
Von Trump was buried in tremendous state. Societies 
and friends turned out to do him honor ; there was a 
great display of black cloth, velvet, silver, and flowers. 
Indeed, the coffin was fairly smothered with them. 
They were taken to the grave in a separate carriage and 
piled over the mound. Newspapers teemed with obitu- 
ary notices of our eminent and respected citizen, though 


82 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


in what ]3articular branch he had distinguished himself 
I failed to discover. 

Elizabeth put on the deepest black. The blinds of 
our own house were kept closed a month, out of respect, 
and she was not at home to callers. Indeed, she was 
home very little anyhow, for aunt Yon Trump could 
not spare her. The Bridget of our kitchen ran riot, and 
gave parties. I surprised her one night in the dining- 
room with our choice glass and china spread out in 
gorgeous arr^y, and an army of Mikes, Pats, Dennises, 
with their wives and sweethearts. I was equal to the 
emergency, and discharged her on the spot with a dignity 
worthy of Elizabeth. 

Meanwhile, the first of January had come in, and we 
had gone over our yearly account. Business had fallen 
off considerably, and there had been some losses. There 
was a kind of ominous feeling in financial circles. I 
found myself the happy possessor of eleven hundred 
dollars, surplus, and five hundred dollars, new bills, 
since the first of September. We certainly had not 
lived within our income. 

I settled up the straggling items, and reduced my 
former indebtedness to two thousand. 1 declared reso- 
lutely to myself that we must turn over a new leaf, and 
attack economy with relentless vigor. 

Uncle Yon Trump had left no will. I must confess, 
narrow-minded as it may seem, that at first I had a 
slight hope that Elizabeth might be remembered hand- 


OUR WEDBim GIFTS. 


83 


somely. But presently, ugly rumors began to be put 
afloat. There was a great deal of property, but it was 
mortgaged for about its full value. The Fifth Avenue 
house was settled upon aunt Von Trump, yet that had 
a considerable encumbrance. There was a life insurance 
of flve thousand dollars for her benefit also. 

The amount of it is, that uncle Von Trump has 
been shamefully treated,” said Elizabeth, with a severe 
judicial aspect. He was so good-hearted and generous. 
He trusted everybody, and was always working for his 
political friends, and now look at the result. Aunt Von 
Trump won’t have ten thousand dollars out of it all. It’s 
a shame. And she will have to give up her elegant house, 
her horses, and everything.” 

Here Elizabeth gave way to a flood of violent, hysteri- 
cal tears. I soothed and comforted. 

William Von Trump came on from California to attend 
to some business for the firm he was with. His mother 
received him very graciously. He was an extremely fine 
looking man, with a bright, brisk business aspect, and a 
courteous manner. He persuaded his mother to return 
with him, and it seemed to me the most sensible way out 
of the dilemma. We heard afterwards that she admired 
her daughter-in-law very much. As for the poor young 
man abroad, no one seemed to trouble their heads about 
him. 

The parting between Elizabeth and her aunt was very 
aflecting. For several days afterwards she scarcely sat 


84 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS, 


lip, and could speak only in the most languid of tones. 
The strain on her nerves had been terrible, and parting 
with dear aunt Von Trump was almost more than she 
could endure. She hoped in time her nerves would re- 
cover their usual tone ; but she was afraid she would 
never be quite the same again. 

I was very desirous of discussing some household mat- 
ters Avith Elizabeth. We were plainly living beyond our 
means, and retrenchment of some kind Avas absolutely 
necessary. But hoAv approach the delicate subject ! We 
had a very nice tidy cook noAv, and there seemed an actual 
pleasure in living. But the tAvo thousand dollars weighed 
heavily upon me, and our monthly allowance had proved 
insufficient. Something must be done 

Elizabeth,” I said, coming home someAAdiat excited 
one evening, can you explain this ? Here is a bill 
the executors have sent to me, for a chamber suite. It 
cannot be — ” 

^‘Let me see it, Adolphus,” and she reached up from 
the sofa where she Avas lying. Why — ” in a tone of 

the utmost surprise — it cannot be — carved and gilt bed- 
stead — yes, it surely is. Adolphus, it is this very set, 
my pride and beauty, my memento of dear uncle, and 
this bill is — a deliberate SAvindle. Oh, I Avish I could 
see the man who sent it.” 

“ He is to call to-morroAV. Shall I refer him to you ? ” 

A rather embarrassed expression crossed my Avife’s 
face. 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


85 


Aclolplius, dear/’ and her tone was in striking con- 
trast to her last remark, ‘^you do n’fc suppose there is a 
mistake, do you ? If I were you I should go to GratF & 
Lehmans’ and inquire before we moved in the matter. It 
is my bridal set, but I hnoiu it must have been paid for. 
They have confused it with something else. I wish I 
were well enough to go out to-morrow and attend to it, 
but you had better. Five hundred and fifty dollars ! I 
Icnew it was expensive,” smiling sweetly with a woman’s 
gratified pride. And dear uncle was so generous about 
my wedding.” 

I put the bill in my pocket, but I had a secret mis- 
giving that I should be called upon to pay for the mis- 
take. I went down to Graff & Co.’s the first thing the 
next morning. 

I want to know about this bill,” I demanded with a 
brave front. 

Ah — ” and the gentlemanly bookkeeper gave it a 
casual glance. Are you Mr. Adolphus Stryker ? ” 

I am,” I replied, with the utmost dignity. I should 
like to have crushed the fellow where he stood for his 
cool air of authority. 

Well, this is — one of those affairs that occasionally 
happen,” and he gave a little nod that was most 
irritating. ^^You married old Yon Trump's niece, I 
believe ? ” 

Old Yon Trump ! The man deserved to be knocked 
down for his disrespect. 


so 


OUR WEDDim GIFTS, 


roarried Miss Elizabeth Yon Trump. Yes, he 
was her uncle,’’ I replied in a tone of severe and formida- 
ble dignity. 

Well, this suite was ordered for her. The* executors 
refuse to have anything to do with it. There is n’t half 
enough left to pay his own bills. We had to take back 
the parlor furniture and sell it at auction. The old gen- 
tleman was a regular buffer ! The hardest old chap to 
get money out of — it came like drawing teeth.” 

‘^But this bill-—” 

You have the furniture, I presume — at least, your 
wife has ? ” and the man indulged in a provoking grin. 

It is in our possession.” 

And it was a debt contracted for your wife. I be- 
lieve, sir, the law makes you the responsible party.” 

You can take it back,” I said, beginning to feel my- 
self somewhat of a victim. 

But we don’t want it back, my dear sir,” with the 
utmost blandness ; and we do want our money.” 

“ I will not pay it,” I declared in an excited tone of 
voice. You may send and get it to-day, any time. It 
is a regular swindle.” 

We do not propose to be swindled,” said the imper- 
turbable man. You are of the firm of Trask, Keep & 
Co., leather dealers, are you not ? ” 

I assented with glowering eyes. 

Very well, Mr. Stryker. I think you will find it to 
your interest to settle this account. We will give you 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


87 


thirty clays, and after that commence a suit, not for the 
furniture,” and again he smiled his exasperatingly bland 
smile, “ but for the money. Good-morning, sir,” and he 
walked away. 

I stood quite crestfallen. To he sued in a common 
justice’s court. I, Adolphus Stryker, who had hitherto 
borne an unblemished reputation, who had kept out of 
debt and saved up a little money year by year, until this 
ill-fated madness overtook me. There were women in 
the world beside old Yon Trump’s niece. They might 
not have been as well dowered in the way of wedding 
gifts, and I laughed bitterly. Had not these very gifts 
been the beginning of my discomfort ? 

I considered all day. At times I resolved to defy the 
world and not permit myself to be swindled. They 
trusted Anthony Yon Trump, not Adolphus Stryker. 

“ Are you not feverish, Adolphus ? ” asked old Mr. 
Trask in kindly tones. “ There is a curious wildness in 
your eyes, and your voice trembles when you talk. If 
you are not well — ” 

I am quite well. That is,” I went on confusedly, 

I have a headache, and some little matters have rather 
bothered me.” 

Adolphus, I have wanted to ask you ; you were not 
foolish enough, I hope, to put your name to any of old 
Yon Trump’s notes ? ” 

‘‘No. Indeed, he never asked me,” I replied quite 
decisively, thankful that it was the truth. 


88 


oun WEB Dim GIFTS. 


I am very glad. He was supposed to be veiy 
wealthy, but I always have my doubts of men of that 
stamp. His property I hear is all mortgaged, and there 
will not be enough left to pay the just debts. Had your 
wife anything involved ? ” 
believe not.” 

It occurred to me then to wonder what had become 
of Elizabeth’s fortune. I had not heard her refer to it 
in some time. 

I had not married Elizabeth from any base or selfish 
motives. She had loved me, and I had — well I had for- 
gotten my ideal, who somewhat resembled Kitty Brom- 
ley, and for the rest, I could not well explain it to 
myself. There is a profound mystery about love and 
marriage, which sacrilegious hands must not profane, nor 
curious eyes seek to penetrate. If it were not so, where 
would be the theme for poet and novelist. I did not 
wholly understand it myself, even after having been 
admitted to the sacred fane, and knelt among its wor- 
shippers. Elizabeth was my wife, and there was but 
cne cause of dissent between us. She could not seem to 
understand what was meant by being a poor man’s wife. 
That was her misfortune, certainly. I had been brought 
up to habits of rigorous economy and prudence, a horror 
of debt, and a belief that it was dishonest to live beyond 
one’s means. True, I was learning that the modern 
school of financiers rather sneered at this old-fashioned 
creed, but, certainly, I did not see. how I could even 


OVB WED Dim GIFTS. 


89 


apply the later method to Graff & Co. There was the 
debt, and here was a disgraceful suit for my wife’s 
wedding gifts. 

I went home quite early. Elizabeth was lying on the 
bed in the daintiest of white frilled wrappers, and a 
coquettish little cap of lace and rose-colored ribbons. 

Oh, my dear,” she cried, raising her white hand en- 
treatingly, don’t step quite so heavily. My poor head 
has been so bad all day. The slightest sound goes 
through it like a knife. Put on your slippers, won’t 
you, that’s a darling.” 

I hastened to do this, then I came around and kissed 
her tenderly. She did look very pale, my poor Eliza- 
beth. 

‘‘I knew nature would revenge herself,” she said with 
a soft sigh. We cannot outrage any law without suf- 
fering the penalty. My devotion to poor aunt through 
her bitter sorrow and trouble, the grief of parting with 
one who had been like a mother, and the haunting 
thought of dear uncle’s newly made grave, has prostrated 
me. And yet I meant to be so brave for your sake, my 
darling Adolphus. You are so patient and tender to 
real suffering that sometimes I feel — ” 

Elizabeth closed her eyes and the tears overflowed. I 
wiped them away. I soothed and caressed her until the 
dinner bell rang. 

I hate to have you go down to your solitary meal,” 
and there was a tenderly, regretful expression in her 


^0 


OUR WEDDma GIFTS. 


eyes. Tell Lucy to bring me up a bit of chicken and 
a cup of tea.” 

I read aloud to Elizabeth that evening. Of course I 
could not worry her with business. Indeed, for a week 
she continued much the same. Some days she went out 
in the carriage with her dear friend Laura, but she was 
not able to come down to her meals. 

A fortnight passed. The agent of the house paid me 
a second visit, this time with lease in hand. 

I shall give up the house,” I said briefly. It is a 
higher rent than I can afford to pay.” 

Give up the house and the man raised his eye- 
brows in surprise. My dear sir, you should have done 
that before. Are you aware that it is the first of April ? ” 
What has that to do with it ? ” For a moment I 
was tempted to use a profane expletive. 

A three months’ notice is customary — ” 

But I told you the first of January I did not think 
I should stay,” I intermpted impatiently. 

You have said nothing since. You have given us 
no notice to rent the house. We may ha able to lease it 
during the month, and we may not. We shall hold you 
responsible until — ” 

You will hold me for nothing,” and I glared at the 
man fiercely. ^^Put up a bill to-morrow. Bent your 
bouse to whom you like ! ” 

We shall see what the law wiU do,” and noddino* 

* o 

triumphantly, he left the office. 


OUB WEDBINQ GIFTS. 


91 


I rushed around to a friend well versed in legal affairs. 
Could I be held another year ? 

He laughingly pooh-poohed the matter. It was a ruse 
of the agent. I could go out on the first of May with 
flying colors. 

Then I dropped into the sanctum of another acquain- 
tance. 

He was very cautious, and of the opinion that I could 
he held. Not justly, however. The man would bring 
his suit, depending upon some legal quibble, or some in- 
advertent word I might have dropped — there were so 
many devious ways in law. And if I should win, the 
fellow could appeal and make no end of trouble and ex- 
pense. 

And this is justice ! ” I cried savagely. This is the 
boasted liberty of the nineteenth century, this great era 
of progress ! Our fathers fought that we might again 
be enslaved by a tyrannous house agent. Never ! Never ! ” 
Mind, I don’t say that he will, or can ; but he might. 

I dashed out of the office. Had a man any rights 
that laws were bound to respect ? 

“Elizabeth,” I said that evening — ^for I knew the bat- 
tle must come — “ I had a call from the agent of our 
house to-day. He said, that is, I mean I said — and a 
more insolent jackanapes I never saw — ” 

“ He was here,” returned Elizabeth,, serenely. “ I 
thought him very gentlemanly. He said you were unde- 
cided, and — I supposed you sent him here, Adolphus, to 


92 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


see what I thought, and we talked matters over in a 
friendly way. Kents for desirable houses have increased, 
and you know what a trouble we had to find this. I 
told him we would remain another year — ” 

The scoundrel ! The sneaking, impertinent villain ! 
I gave up the house ! ** 

Adolphus, you need not roar so ! I am not deaf, and 
my nerves have been in such a sensitive state since dear 
uncle’s death. And how do you suppose I could move, 
in my poor health and all ? ” and she looked at me with 
the sadness x)f a deeply injured saint. 

We cannot stay here. We have run behind steadily 
since we came to this house. For the first time in my 
life I have been in debt, the whole year ! We must re- 
trench ! ” 

She leaned back in her chair and wiped a falling tear 
from her cheek. 

“ Adolphus,” she said with pathetic intonation, how 
much do you think we shall gain by moving ? ” 

“We must save somewhere. Fifteen hundred dollars 
is my utmost limit for rent.” 

“ And you know what shells and rookeries we saw for 
that price. If ever a woman did her full duty by house- 
hunting, I did last spring. And now we will see. First, 
there will be car fares in every direction, for I am not 
able to walk, and poor aunt’s carriage is no longer at my 
disposal. Then there will be cleaning, and no one can 
estimate the repairs. Even in this new house, there has 


OXTR vr ED DING GIFTS, 


93 


been so much trouble with the range and the plumbing, 
you know, and now we have everything in excellent 
order. All that will cost, at -least, one hundred and fifty 
dollars. Then a man must come to pack the furniture, 
and it will take him a full week, I know ; and then the 
cartmen, who always charge outrageously at the first of 
May, and then the man to lay the carpets, and a man to 
put up the shades and the curtains, and some one to un- 
pack, and cook will go off in a huff — they always do — * 
and I shall get a dreadful cold, and so will you, and 
there will be doctor’s bills, and heaven only knows what 
all. Then w'e shall be miserable and crowded, and our 
lives wdll be a burthen to us the whole year — ” 

With that harrowing picture, Elizabeth broke down 
and sobbed audibly. 

For several moments I sat in speechless astonishment. 
I made a mental inventory of our belongings from the 
top of the house to the bottom. Did any one dare call 
these household gods ? Household demons, rather. 
How the men had tugged and worked to get that safe 
up stairs. How they had grazed walls and doorways, 
with that infernal bedstead, I was going to say to myself, 
but remembered in time. What could we do with all 
these things in a smaller house ? 

I do not see what you would make, Adolphus I ” 
began my wife afresh, in a very hysterical voice. It 
would cost at least five hundred dollars. If you don’t 
believe me, and it is very hard to be doubted by the 


94 


OUR WARDING GIFTS. 


husband to whom you have given your very soul, and 
for whom you would lay down your life— indeed, I would, 
Adolphus. I sometimes think I did wrong to marry 
you, but I loved you, and I could not sell myself for 
base gold. But if you regret—’^ and before I could even 
imagine, Elizabeth had knelt at my feet. 

My dear,^’ I cried, my darling, my sweet, heroic 
Elizabeth ; V but she lay senseless in my arms. 

I bore her to the bed. I bathed the marble face and 
the icy hands. I besought her by every fond endear- 
ment, and presently she opened her eyes. 

Forgive me,” she pleaded faintly. Adolphus, I am 
afraid I have burthened your life. But perhaps, my 
darling, I shall not live long. I feel sometimes as if my 
sensitive nerves would outwear my frail body. And 
when I am lying in Greenwood, dear, you ’ll come and 
strew a few flowers over me, will you not ? You’ll 
think of the pleasant hours in our lives, the time when 
we first loved, and were all in all to each other. I am sure 
I meant to please you, and to make you happy ; but if I 
have failed in my short life to — to—’' and my dear wife 
was weeping softly. 

“ My darling,” and I knelt beside the bed, seized her 
hand and covered it with kisses. ^‘My darling, don’t 
talk of dying ! ” 

‘^Perhaps it would be better,” she went on faintly 
quite as if she had made up her mind ; while every word 
was like a dagger thrust to my miserable soul. IVe 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


95 


had queer, strange feelings about my heart, and last sum- 
mer the doctor warned me to avoid excitements. ‘ You 
must live in an equable mental atmosphere ’ — those were 
his very words — ^ or I will not answer for the consequen- 
ces. So you see, dear, I could hardly undertake the 
bustle and anxiety of moving, and if I were laid away at 
rest in the quiet grave, some good strong woman might 
come in as housekeeper, and manage things. Adolphus, 
dear, loould you let me make a will ? ” and she raised 
her eyes pleadingly to mine. There are a few of my 
wedding gifts I would like to bequeath to friends, and — 
and — suppose you will marry again — ” 

Never ! Never ! ” I reiterated with the utmost 
solemnity. Oh, my darling, do not talk of dying. You 
break my heart,” and I buried my face in the counter- 
pane. 

“ Would you be glad to have me live, dear ? ” and her 
voice sounded like an angel’s whisper. Life is sweet, 
but rather than become a burthen — ” 

I wept, I prayed, I implored. I told her that if she 
died I should always have the remorse of a murderer 
gnawing at my soul ; that I should never dare look my 
fellow-creatures in the face ; that I should become a 
wanderer and an exile, and at last perish miserably. She 
bent over and kissed me, and begged me to live for her 
sake, and she would try her best to be a devoted and 
economical wife. And so we made peace. 

I went down town the next morning and signed the 


96 


OUR WEDDINa GIFTS. 


lease, though I experienced a strong desire to throttle 
that bland and smiling agent. And now I must provide 
for the payment of the five hundred and fifty dollars. 
Borrow again, of course. 

To convince myself, I made out a list of moving ex- 
penses, at Elizabeth’s dictation. I found that we would 
not be much the gainer, and to go into a house where 
there were roaches and bugs and every crawling thing, 
and where people might have had typhus and small pox 
and diphtheria, did not appear inviting. We had better 
let well enough alone. 

Elizabeth improved slowly, but she was so sweet and 
patient, that my heart smote me for having ever opposed 
any wish of hers. She could not help having handsome 
bridal presents, and if people had neglected to pay for 
them, she surely was not to blame. But I never would 
have supposed that it could cost so much for two people 
to live. I gave the cook many useful hints upon domestic 
economy that I gleaned from Kitty Bromley in strictest 
confidence. I made various suggestions, and insisted 
that we could not afibrd to supply the horde of street 
beggars with poultry and porter-house steak, pound cake 
and macaroons. 

Cook has gone off in high dudgeon ! ” announced 
Elizabeth. My dear Adolphus, I wish you would not 
meddle in the kitchen. No girl will take any interfer- 
ence. If they can’t have their way they won’t work at 
all, and a man is n’t expected to be prying about closets 


OUU WEDDING GIFTS. 


97 


and cellars, and kettles and pans, and giving orders. 
The lower classes have feelings and prejudices as well as 
ourselves.’’ 


CHAPTER VIL 

Elizabeth’s friends were very kind, and through the 
balmy May, she was taken out driving nearly every day. 
We also went down to Longport for several days, and 
the Waltons entertained us delightfully, I must say. 
Dora was shooting up into a tall, pretty girl, with a 
bright, inquisitive, independent order of mind. Our 
kitten throve finely, and was very cunning, and Dora 
was much pleased with her good report. 

Elizabeth laid oif her mourning, and began to go into 
society again. The great world had forgotten old Yon 
Trump, and was engaged with still more notable people. 
There was a great excitement about the ring now ; some 
of its heroes were holding up their heads defiantly, others 
were flying to foreign lands. Von Trump’s swindles 
looked petty compared to these. 

Once the matter of the furniture had been touched 
upon. Elizabeth declared with tears, that she knew 
uncle Yon Trump had meant to pay for it, and she 
did n’t doubt but he had. People were sometimes com- 
pelled to pay bills twice if they could not produce a re- 


98 


OUR WEDBim GIFTS, 


ceipt. So many of his papers had been destroyed, and 
she was sure that must have been with them. Why,” 
she asked, with lofty scorn, did they not send it while 
he was alive ? That alone proves it a base, underhand 
action.” 

I did not think it worth while to destroy her beauti- 
ful and childlike faith in her dead relative by telling her 
that Graff & Co.’s collector had pronounced him the 
hardest old duffer to get money out of that he had ever 
seen, and that he had asked him for the amount fifty 
times at least,” but I am tempted to believe the latter 
statement a slight exaggeration. 

And now came the all-absorbing question as to where 
Elizabeth should go for the summer. Old Mr. Trask 
was breaking considerably, and I saw plainly that I must 
be closely confined to business. The doctor declared a 
couple of months somewhere would set up Elizabeth 
completely. 

‘^And you know how well I was all last fall and 
winter,” she said brightly. do desire to have my 
health above all things. A fretful, peevish, ailing wife 
must be a great trial to any husband, and you are so 
good, Adolphus, that I feel I ought to take care of my- 
self for your sake.” 

When Elizabeth uttered such sentiments with her 
adorable smile, I felt straightway as if I must fall down 
and worship her. 

About this time Lucy gave notice. IShe was going to 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


99 


marry a fine young Englishman, who was gardener and 
steward at a handsome country place in Westchester 
county. There was a pretty little lodge house for them 
to commence the practice of domestic economy, and I 
must say, I never joined Elizabeth in the purchase of 
wedding gifts with a better heart. Lucy seemed really 
sorry to go. She was married one day in church, and 
my wife gave her a pretty wedding feast in our dining- 
room, to which a dozen or so friends were invited. 

I resolved to keep house as I had last summer. Eliza- 
beth went to Watch Plill and then to Newport, and from 
thence to sundry seaside resorts, returning to me in a 
transcend en tally blooming state of health, after having 
made some of the loveliest friends that mortal woman 
could desire. 

But alas ! Let no woman call herself happy until the 
race of handmaidens is extinct. It really seemed as if 
all the ills of Pandora’s box were showered upon our de- 
voted heads. The cook stole our silver and decamped, 
the maid purloined laces and jewelry, and both had very 
high-toned moral reports from their last places. The 
next one smashed things generally, while her up-stairs 
compeer emptied our wine bottles. Then it seemed as 
if every person we knew sent us wedding cards, and 
presents increased and multiplied. Our next duo quar- 
relled frightfully. I wondered sometimes how Eliza- 
beth’s health and temper stood the continued assaults. 

At last we met with an admirable kitchen girl, a 


100 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


widow of middle age, who had lived at several summer 
hotels and had piles of references from people in various 
sections of the country. I wrote to two parties and 
found everything correct. She was such a nice, pleasant, 
sensible body and did her work well, besides being so 
scrupulously honest that a stray penny on the floor was 
sure to be returned to its ov/ner. Then Lucy, who had 
kept up a kindly interest in us, came in one day to say 
a cousin of hers, Kose Muldoon, was shortly coming over. 
She was about twenty-five, and had been lady’s maid in 
an excellent Scottish family of q^uality ; could alter 
dresses and do up laces, and in short was a paragon. 
Elizabeth was delighted. She would take her, of course, 
and be very thankful to have so efficient a pel son. 

‘‘We shall begin to live once more,” she declared. 
^‘The past three months have been like a frightful 
dream. And my beautiful china is nothing but a wreck ! 
I don’t believe, Adolphus, that it would cost any more to 
get an entire new set than to have that matched. Joanna 
is so careful of everything that it will last years when it 
is complete once more.” 

I made no reply. My private contemplation of bills 
was not cheerful and inspiriting. I was more than ever 
convinced that we were living beyond our means, and 
that with the coming spring something must be done. 

“ The McFaddens are to give a grand Christmas eve 
ball,” said Elizabeth, greeting me with a kiss. “We 
have been absolutely no where this winter, and we must 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS, 


101 


go. Laura sent a private note to me, and begs that we 
will not let anything interfere. There, I know you are 
going to say something about dress, but I’ve found a 
treasure of a dressmaker, and mean to have two old party 
dresses made into one, and as this is not a wedding, nor 
a surprise, and there will be no gifts of any kind I don’t 
see how you can refuse.” 

I could not certainly, although I knew by past ex- 
perience what treasures of dressmakers and loves of 
milliners cost, and not infrequently the cheap ones 
proved the dearest in the end. But I felt the more will- 
ing to indulge Elizabeth now, as I did mean on the 
opening of the new year to give up the house, even if I 
had to wade through acres of domestic warfare, and seas 
of tears. 

I must say that Elizabeth looked very elegant on the 
night of the party. Like a dutiful husband I brought 
her home a hot-house bouquet of tea roses and helio- 
trope, and she declared that and her gloves were the only 
things for which she had spent any money. She was in 
excellent spirits too, and I fancied I felt uncommonly 
well. I put the silver in the safe, barred the basement 
windows and doors, and gave Joanna strict injunctions 
about carefulness, and the fires. 

‘‘And you really need not sit up,” said Elizabeth, 
graciously. “ It is doubtful if we are home before two 
o’clock.” 

“ Thank you,” returned Joanna, respectfully. “Ido 


102 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


feel rather tired and I may go to bed in an hour or 
two.” 

^^Very well;” and Elizabeth picked up her flowing 
train, while I carried her gloves in my vest pocket, 
and her bouquet wrapped round with tissue paper. 

The McFadden mansion was well filled with guests 
when we reached it, and still they came. It seemed as 
if half the city must have been invited. Knots of Mac’s 
political friends, railroad men, a sprinkling of bankers 
and brokers, and wives and daughters, gotten up most 
gorgeously. They jostled and crowded and tore each 
others trains, and the dancing was quite a failure, though 
the music was of the best. And what words shall do 
justice to the supper ! It was magnificent with superb 
black waiters and every delicacy in season. Choice wines 
sparkled and flowed freely ; there was no lack of jest or 
laughter. Toward the last it began to grow rather 
boisterous, but the ladies and many of their cavaliers 
retired to the drawing-room. Some went home immedi- 
ately, and the younger portion recommenced dancing 
with new zest. 

It was nearly three when we left. A sound of coarse 
revelry was coming up from the supper room, and some 
of the women were losing their freshness. I was very 
tired, to tell the truth, for it seemed as if I had been 
elbowing my way continually. 

How splendid it all was ! ” declared Elizabeth, re- 
gretfully. “ The McFaddens don’t seem to mind a bit 


OVR WEDDING GIFTS. 


103 


how they spend monej^, and Laura is such a dear, 
good, generous creature. Adolphus, if there only was 
some way of getting into politics ! ” 

But there is n’t when you have no head for such 
matters,” was my response. 

don’t think Mac so very smart, do you And I 
do know people who are much better bred — more re- 
fined — and who could make quite as good use of wealth. 
I do wonder if you will ever be rich, my dear ? ” 

Never ! ” I could have responded with heroic forti- 
tude, but I refrained from paining my charmer. 

We reached our own quiet residence, and I opened the 
door with my latch key. The light was burning low in 
the hall, and after Elizabeth threaded her way up stairs 
with her train on her arm, I locked the door, put out the 
light and followed. Joanna, up stairs, was no doubt 
^ sleeping the sleep of the just. I officiated to the best 
of my ability as lady’s maid, and shortly after we were 
in bed the clock struck four. From that time until 
seven I slept soundly, and then was awakened by the 
noises in the street. As there was no need of disturbing 
Elizabeth, I turned over and settled myself for another 
snooze. No going down town to-day. 

Sometime afterward my wife stirred and spoke. 

^ ^‘Ido wonder if Joanna has overslept herself ! Do 
you hear any stir, Adoljffius ? Good gracious ! I almost 
forgot. Merry Christmas 1 I do wonder what you are 


104 


OTTR WEDDma GIFTS. 


going to give me ! Has the bell rung yet ? and don’t 
you think the room very cold ? ” 

I replied to several of these interrogatories, and then 
listened. The house seemed exceedingly still. “ J oan- 
na ! ” I called up the stairwaj^ Joanna ! ” 

. No response. 

j ‘‘ She must have gone down,” I said. 

I suppose she thought we wanted to sleep late. I 
think Joanna the greatest treasure we ever had. Now, 
if I get that Bose, we shall begin to live again.” 

I decided not to return to bed, and proceeded with 
my toilet, while my wife discoursed in all the freedom 
of marital confidence. Something certainly must be the 
matter. I could get no warm water, and the register 
remained obstinately stone cold. 

‘^I’ll go down and see,” I said to the wife of my 
bosom. 

The kitchen was dark and cold. I opened the shut- 
ters. Everything was tidy as a new pin, but no cheerful 
Joanna. 

I sprang up stairs at a bound or two, and announced 
the state of affairs to Elizabeth. 

“ She is still asleep, or she must be sick,” I said, and 
going up to her door I knocked, gently at first, then 
louder, then loudest, and tried the knob. The door was 
locked, and there was no answer. 

Elizabeth came up in wrapper and shawl. 

Oh, Adolphus,” she cried, nervously, what can be 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


105 


the matter ? Do you suppose she has died in her bed 
all alone, poor thing ? had a fit perhaps, and not a soul 
near her. What can you do ? ” 

“ I don’t know, except to burst the door open. She 
certainly cannot be alive.” 

Oh, dear ; and on Christmas morning, too ! Will 
we have to have an inquest, and a post-mortem, and 
everything ? and it will always haunt me when I am 
alone, for my nerves are so susceptible to the slightest 
shock.” 

I made two ineffectual attempts, but at the third, the 
door yielded, and I went tumbling head first into 
Joanna’s bed. The shock rather confused me for an 
instant. 

‘‘ Why, Adolphus ! And she is not liere ! ” 

I glanced about awe-stricken. The bed had not been 
disturbed, except by my sudden onslaught. 

Where can she be ? In the cellar, perhaps, stone 
dead. Something terrible has happened.” 

Adolphus ! you must go for an officer at once ; and 
oh ! I can't be left alone in this dreadful house,” and 
she grasped my arm. 

“ Let us make a thorough search ourselves. Remem- 
ber we found one delectable Bridget drunk in the china 
closet. Even our faultless Joanna may have yielded to 
temptation and celebrated Christmas eve too overwhelm- 
ingly.” 

We peered into every nook and cranny on our way 


106 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


down. Elizabeth could not bring her generous mind to 
believe ill of her handmaiden. The house was in per- 
fect order, and at length we reached the cellar. 

We both shivered with cold and apprehension. 
Would I find a mangled corpse below ! 

^‘You cannot go down!” cried my wife, in terror. 
“ Adolphus, you must get an officer.” 

See here,” I said, with a sudden gleam of courage, 
‘‘ the door is bolted. No one can be down here.” 

‘‘ She may have been murdered and thrown down ; ’’ 
and Elizabeth looked at me with wildest eyes. 

‘‘ But in that case there must have been some way of 
escape. We have found nothing disturbed, and no door 
open. Yes,” I continued, bravely, will venture to 
explore the cellar. And I am quite sure the furnace fire 
is out.” 

I lighted a lamp and went down, but I must confess 
my heart beat ominously. What tragedy had taken 
place in my house on quiet, heavenly Christmas eve, 
when the whole world should be devoted to peace and 
good will ! 

I found no frightful corpse. J oanna might be tucked 
into the potato barrel, but she was a rather large woman, 
or she might be buried in the coal bin. There was no 
sign of a newly-made grave anywhere. 

^^All right, Elizabeth,” I shouted. She is not 
here.” 

I opened the furnace door, and found there was some 


OUR WEBBING GIFTS. 


107 


fire. After administering a vigorous shaking and o 
generous supply of coal, I returned to the upper re- 
gions. 

Joanna is not in the house,’’ I said, firmly. ^^She 
may have been called away after we were gone, or she 
may have left of her own free will and supreme pleasure. 
Our first duty is to make a kitchen fire, our next to 
examine whether -any of our household goods have de- 
parted in the wake of J oanna.” 

‘‘Oh my gracious, Adolphus !” and Elizabeth sprang 
up in a way that would have done credit to the stage. 
“ You don’t mean — you can’t think — ” 

I pulled out dampers, raked, clattered, made a great 
fuss, as a man always does with a fire, while Elizabeth 
kept up a steady stream of ejaculations, protestations, 
beliefs, disbeliefs, certainties, supposes, doubts and fears, 
and at length flew up stairs. I lighted the fire, burned 
my finger, but the thing blazed and cracked cheerfully, 
and with a great comfortable shiver that seemed to shake 
out the cold of the last hour, I sat down beside the range 
and rubbed my much soiled hands. 

A wild shriek from Elizabeth, who came flying down 
stairs, startled me from the comfortable posture. What 
horrible vision had met her eyes ? 

“It is all true — true ! Adolphus ! ” she raved. 
“ That awful, deceitful, horrible woman ! Go for an 
officer at once ! How could she do such a thing, when I 
thought her a — a— paragon ! I wmuld have trusted her 


108 


OUR WED DIN a GIFTS, 


— I did trust her, and she has been like the serpent 
warmed and fed — ’’ 

Tiien you have found her ? I interrupted, spring- 
ing up and brandishing the poker. Where is the vile 
creature ? ” 

Where is she ? How should I know, Adolphus ? 
But she has taken my gold card receiver, and some of 
my lovely parlor ornaments, and my jewelry and my 
India shawl, and Heaven only knows all I And where 
is the key of the safe ? ” 

Elizabeth’s voice had been gradually growing higher 
and higher, and she ended with a cry that would not 
have shamed an Irish banshee, as she sank into a chair. 

The key of the safe ? But Joanna could not open 
it ” 

Yes, she could,” sobbed Elizabeth. showed her 
only a few days ago. I trusted her so. You know, 
Adolphus, you said you were sure she looked honest and 
good, and you had such faith in her after all the 
miserable wretches we had had. I’m sure you liked her 
and were just as much delighted with her as I was. And 
I can’t find the safe key, and I know she’s stolen every- 
thing there is in it. My beautiful silver set ! My pre- 
cious wedding gifts 1 ” and her hysterical , wails filled the 
room. 

I filled the kettle, washed my hands at the kitchen 
sink, went up stairs to brush my hair and made myself 
ready for a short tour. 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


109 


Elizabeth,” I said grimly, buttoning my overcoat 
up to the chin, am going around to the station 
house.” 

‘‘‘ Oh, Adolphus, do not leave me,” she implored. 

I must,” I answered, with Spartan firmness, making a 
hasty exit. 

My story was soon told. Captain Weeks accompanied 
me home to obtain full details. We roused a locksmith 
from his luxuriant fireside, and bade him look U]} some 
tools and follow us directly. 

With the aid of my weeping Elizabeth, we went 
through the house again, and found that it had been 
literally cleaned out of all pertaining to gold or silver. 
My elegant beaver overcoat was gone, and two of my 
wife’s silk dresses, her India shawl and her thread-lace 
mantle. After a severe struggle, the safe was forced 
open, only to show us how complete the devastation had 
been. 

think this woman belongs to a regularly organized 
gang of burglars,” said Captain Weeks. Where did 
she come from ? ” 

We could not remember, but in my memorandum I 
had made a note of the people to whom I had applied 
for reference. One was a Mr. James Hunt, of Stamford ; 
the other a Mr. William Prescott, of Staten Island. 

^^And you say both of these people answered you 
immediately ? What reason did she give for leaving 
them ? ” he asked. 


110 


OUR WED mm GIFTS, 


Mr. Prescott’s family liad given up housekeeping, 
or they would not have dreamed of parting with so 
efficient and capable a woman. And the other — well, I 
really don’t remember, but it seemed very satisfactory.” 

Some confederate answered these letters for her no 
doubt. Give me the addresses and 1 will see if they can 
be verified. Now an accurate description of the woman,” 
and Captain Weeks took out book and pencil. 

She was rather tall. Elizabeth and I agreed about 
that, and medium as to stoutness. But for the life of 
me I couldn’t remember the color of her eyes. Elizabeth 
said first that they were dark blue or grey, then she was 
quite sure they were black. Her hair was dark and 
pretty thick. 

“You don’t think it was a wig ? ” he queried. 

“Yes, I do believe it was 1” declared my wife. “It 
always had a peculiar thick look about the part, just at 
the edge of her forehead. Oh, the miserable, shameful, 
deceitful thing ! I hope you can find her and send her 
to prison.” 

“ You see she has a good start. Her pals were on 
hand as soon as you were out of sight, and professionals 
like best articles that are almost sure to escape identifica- 
tion. Gold and silver can be melted, and the few articles 
of clothing have no distinct character. They are too 
sharp to leave the city immediately, so we will have the 
best known haunts watched. If there is the least word, 
you shall hear immediately.’’ 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


Ill 


How would it do to offer a reward ? ” I ventured. 

“ They are not to be caught in that way,” and he 
laughed. ‘‘ If it were papers or bonds you might stand 
a better chance. • I think I will make inquiries in the 
street if any parties were seen.” 

Alas ! No one had dreamed of such a thing. Some- 
body imagined that a carriage stopped for a few moments, 
but the matter remained shrouded in mystery. Elizabeth 
went into violent hysterics, and I called in our next door 
neighbor. About noon I succeeded in getting some 
breakfast, and then I started for Ned Bromley’s without 
delay, where I detailed the woes of this most unlucky 
Christmas morning. Did Kitty knov/ of any reliable, 
tidy woman who could come in for a week or two, until 
matters were a little more settled. 

She thought a few moments, then sent Ned off with 
a little note, while she went on with her dinner prepara- 
tions. 

This woman is a widow, and goes out nursing, but 
just now she is not busy, and I think Mrs. Stryker may 
need something more than a mere servant after s\ich a 
shock. And what a dreadful loss 1 ”' declared sympa- 
thizing Kitty. 

Did I really regret them so much ? I was shocked at 
my hardness of heart, my apathetical cruelty. Those 
fatal wedding gifts had plunged me into kindred extrava- 
gances at every step. I felt sure that we would have 
been better off without them. And now that they were 


112 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


really gone, for I knew in niy heart that we should never 
see them again, we might descend to a simpler style of 
living, with less pain and mortification. 

Ned returned presently, with a plain, motherly sort 
of woman, to whom my heart warmed at once. She 
would go with me if 1 desired it, and so I said a rather 
lugubrious good-bye to Kitty and the children, and 
started homeward -with my prize. 

I found Elizabeth in bed, surrounded by a group of 
admiring women. She was a heroine, and had a story. 
She was a trusting, confiding, unsuspicious woman, and 
had been betrayed by the blackest and foulest treachery. 
She had taken the utmost care to look after references, 
and all that, hut who could suspect such a deep-laid 
scheme ! She never could trust to appearances again, 
for Joanna’s honest-looking face, and tidy ways, had 
covered the most diabolical hypocrisy ! 

Every woman, I believe, had some story of misplaced 
confidence to relate. I inducted Mrs. Cox into the mys- 
teries of the kitchen, and found the range fire nearly out, 
and that our Christmas turkey had been carried off, to 
grace the family silver, doubtless. There was part of a 
cold ham, and some steak, and a generous provision of 
mince pie. At six o’clock I sat down to my solitary 
dinner, the table being ornamented with the kitchen 
service of plated silver. I began to realize the extent of 
our loss. To replace it would be impossible. Elizabeth 
would spend the rest of her days bemoaning it. 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


113 


My poor wife was really ill the next day. Mrs. Cox 
proved a capable and kindly woman, and I do not think 
my household affairs were ever so economically adminis- 
tered as during the three weeks she was with us. 

I took occasion, two days after Christmas, to call on 
our house agent, and give up the house, in the most 
positive manner possible. It will he of no avail to 
visit Mrs. Stryker,” I announced, with what I intended 
for withering scorn, ^^for no offer of any kind would 
induce us to stay.” 

The house is a desirable one, and can be easily 
rented,” the man remarked, with the utmost sang-froid. 

Put up your hill as soon as you like,” returned I, 
striding out of the door. 

For now I felt that it must he immediate retrench- 
ment. Debts and borrowed money had gone on accumu- 
lating, and now that the cause of grandeur was removed, 
there was no further necessity of keeping up idle state. 

If I could only dispose of that huge sideboard and the 
safe, and if that great bedroom suite had never been 
bestowed upon Elizabeth ! 

I found during the month of January that our busi- 
ness had not been as prosperous through the year, and 
that a rather disastrous Southern failure would swallow 
up our surplus. 

“ Times look rather squally ahead,” said Mr. Trask. 

Some of the best firms are going on with fear and 
trembling. We have been living too fast ; indulging in 


114 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


too many luxuries ; making too many wants. There has 
been too much of this credit business ; too much specu- 
lating and haste to be rich. Men who are out of debt 
may be able to stand the pressure, but the others will 
go like a row of card-board houses.” 

There was nothing then toward paying my debts but 
what I could save out of my income. And how to get 
the matter properly explained to Elizabeth puzzled 
me. 

Two events happened, fortunately for me, that diverted 
her attention. One was the arrival of Kose Muldoon. A 
tall, rather plain, capable looking girl, respectful with- 
out being obsequious, dressed in a tidy manner, with no 
flounces or furbelows, sensible, and really well educated. 
She would like the place, she thought, from Lucy’s de- 
scription, and she hoped she would suit well enough to 
remain. She did not even object to doing the cooking 
until we could get suited in that respect. 

The other was an astounding piece of news. The 
McFaddens had gone abroad in the dead of winter. 
Their horses and carriages had been sold privately ; their 
house was rented, furnished. And now it appeared that 
Mac had either sold his real estate or succeeded in 
mortgaging it to its full value, and there were whispers 
of numerous swindles put upon his beloved city. There 
were to be investigations and everything. But what of 
that ! Tim McEadden was out of the country with no 
one knew how much money, and his creditors were at 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. II5 

liberty to seize on bis mortgaged real estate and indulge 
in unlimited profanity. 

I wouldn’t have believed it of Laura 1 ” sobbed 
Elizabeth. And to think she was in here only three 
days before she sailed, and never said a word. I couldn’t 
have treated any friend in such a shameful manner I I 
knew she meant to go to Paris sometime, and now she’ll 
flaunt around in velvet and diamonds, and — ” 

On other people’s money,” I appended, grimly, yet 
with a secret twinge of conscience. 

“I never thought much of Tim HcFadden, a great, 
burly, red-faced, ignorant, vulgar politician J I don’t 
see how Laura could ever have married him, but she did 
dress magnificently, and had horses, and servants, and 
gave parties just when she liked. Oh, dear ! ” and 
Elizabeth wept afresh, whether in commiseration for 
them or herself, I could hardly tell. 


CHAPTER VIIL 

As if to give me ample time to reconsider, no bill 
was put on my house until the first day of February. 
I had been weakly putting off this bit of marital confi- 
dence, waiting, I suppose, for Elizabeth to recover from 
the shock of the robbery. When I returned home that 
evening and found it staring me in the face I knew the 
crisis must be met. 


116 


OXnt WEDDING GIFTS, 


We bad a new Bridget in onr kitchen, bnt Miss Mul- 
doon in a dignified way kept np a kindly supervision. 
She was an excellent manager, possessed good judgment 
and good common sense. She was expeditious and 
orderly, and I could see relieved Elizabeth of much care. 
True, when we thought of that miserable, deceitful 
wretch, Joanna, we hardly dared felicitate ourselves on 
our new treasure. She could alter dresses, and had 
made her mistresses’ caps, and the children’s bonnets in 
her old home, and Elizabeth pronounced her quite a 
genius. She was so quiet, too, not with the stealthiness 
that makes you nervous, hut an air of refinement, as if 
she had been used to well-bred people. 

As to our silver, we heard nothing of it. Two of our 
most expensive bronzes, and a number of parlor orna- 
ments had been taken also. If they had only carried 
off some of the ngly pots and jars ! 

A wise French philosopher insists that the misfortunes 
of our friends are matters of genuine satisfaction to our- 
selves. There may have been people who rejoiced at 
our loss. I will not say there were, because we were 
warmly sympathized with — to our faces, and I, for one, 
cannot find it in my heart to doubt a friend’s sincerity. 
But on the other hand, the many changes in our little 
circle would certainly make change easier for us. And 
the rapidity with which crashes occurred in the financial 
world, the fortune and state that was swept away with 
a breath, seemed appalling. 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


117 


“ Has the house agent been up here to-day ? ” I asked 
briskly, determining for once to take the bull by the 
horns. 

“ I do not know,” replied Elizabeth, with a languid 
sigh. “ I have seen no company to-day except Mrs. 
Lawrence. I really did not feel fit for the slightest exer- 
tion.” 

“ He has put up a bill, I see. I gave the house up — 
I felt that we could not, that we ought not pay such a 
high rent, for business is desperately dull. Men are 
failing on every hand. And rents must come down.” 

“ I think you might have consulted me, Adolphus,” 
said my wife, in a tremulous tone. 

‘‘ But you know you declared that you should never 
feel safe in the house again. I thought you would 
rather go somewhere else,” I replied, with a sudden in- 
spiration. 

“ There are many painful associations connected with 
this house, it is true ; and, Adolphus, I am not sure that 
it is a healthy house. I wish we could go to the country 
for the summer. 

‘‘ And not keep house ? ” 

“ Well — yes. It would relieve me of so much care, 
and I am not strong. We could store the furniture, and 
then take a house in the fall. There is Rose — I should 
not want to give her up. Only — how we can ever find 
a house, and get moved, I do not see.” 

Elizabeth, my darling,” I said, “ I feel that we 


118 


OVR WED Dim GIFT 8, 


must make some new arrangements, that are — in short 
— less expensive. The future looks so — so precarious, 
and we do run behind — ” 

Don’t distress me with business, Adolphus,” and 
my wife raised her hand imploringly. Yon know I 
have often said you ought to do something outside of 
your business, or get into a more 2 )rofitable one. But 
you never have paid any attention to my desires on the 
subject. Other men have made fortunes in specula- 
tions — ” 

And some one loses, always. It is only another form 
of gambling,” I went on, in a high moral tone. Be- 
sides, what do I know about longs and shorts, and bulls 
and bears, and calls and putSj and straddles ? I should 
have been unlucky, I know, at the very first venture. 
And 1 never had any money to speculate with. You 
would hardly have liked me to embezzle the funds of 
the firm.” 

Don’t talk so dreadfully. I only know that other 
people have been lucky. But I don’t suppose it makes 
much difference whether I have anything or not. In- 
deed, I sometimes feel as if it did not matter at all. I 
may not need any house after a little ; ” and she wiped 
her eyes. 

The presentiment was very touching and pathetic, of 
course, but it did not strike terror to my very soul as in 
bygone times. Was I becoming a heartless monster.?^ 
However, I was glad to get over this matter of the 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


119 


house so easily. And, in the course of a few weeks, 
another very desirable abode came to us, A friend had 
taken a row of new buildings under some sort of lien 
for material, and offered them to rent at fifteen hundred 
dollars. Mrs. Ennis, our next door neighbor, had taken 
one, and insisted that Elizabeth should go and look at 
them. It was a little farther up town, and not quite so 
stylish a neighborhood, but the houses were certainly very 
pretty. There was as much available room as in our 
present one, except that the parlor was divided into a 
music room or library at the back. 

We discussed the pros and cons of boarding for. the 
summer. There would be moving, and storing the fur- 
niture, and re-moving in the fall. Much of it would 
have to be boxed, and it might get injured, or moth- 
eaten, or harmed in some way. And since Elizabeth 
was pleased with the new house, and satisfied to go, I 
thought we might better settle ourselves and be through 
with the anxiety. The five hundred dollars we should 
save seemed almost a fortune to me, 

Alas ! Let no Benedick think he has seen trouble 
until he has moved his household goods and chattels. 
We were not to wait until the first day of May, as 
these houses stood empty, and there was no cleaning, for 
they were in perfect order. But for a week, I think, 
the house was filled with men and women, going- and 
coming, carrying away carpets, bringing in boxes, clat- 
tering up and down, packing and iostituting pando* 


120 


OUB WED Dim GIFTS. 


moninm generally. The parlor looked like some great 
dry-goods warehouse. 

The excitement quite roused Elizabeth. She seemed 
to come out of her long lethargy, and was once more her 
own brilliant self, giving orders and making plans. I 
found, rather to my chagrin, that she, too, was counting 
on the five hundred dollars we were to save in rent. 
We must have some new silver, uttered in very 
large capitals. And a new set of china was an urgent, 
absolute necessity. 

Why, we cannot set a decent table 1 ” declared my 
wife. Plated silver answered Avhen the robbery was a 
new thing, and everybody was sympathizing with us ; 
but now the interest of that is pretty well gone, and our 
friends will not be expecting to have it served up at 
every meal.” 

I fancy our circle of friends will be much smaller,” 
I said, with secret rejoicing. “ The McFaddens — ” 

Don’t mention those odious people,” said Elizabeth, 
with superb scorn. Laura has not even written me a 
note, and McFadden was an atrocious swindler ! ” 

“ And the Hunts and the Du Yaux, who have been 
living on the money of their friends and neighbors — ” 

“ It is terrible ! ” ejaculated my wife. “ Mrs. Du 
Yaux’ dress-making bill is nearly a thousand dollars, and 
the elegant furniture they had last spring had the 
merest trifle paid on it. Such people deserve to have a 


OVR WEDDING GIFTS. 121 

downfall!” and my wife was the picture of virtuous 
indignation. 

“ Changes are so frequent now that it seems to me 
this inflated style of living must come to an end,” I 
said seriously. 

I hope you do not think we ever were inflated, Adol- 
phus ? ” and my wife gazed at me reproachfully. “ I 
must say for our antecedents we have lived very, very 
simply. All our nicest things were my wedding gifts, 
and now they are gone, and I don’t suppose I will ever 
have anything again. Adolphus, you are very thought- 
less to so harrow up one’s feelings ! ” and her handker- 
chief was pressed to her eyes. 

‘‘My dear, I had no intention ; I did not mean — ” 

“ You are so careless of any one’s nerves ! Whan I 
am in my grave you will think of these things, Adol- 
phus ! I only hope your conscience will not upbraid you 
bitterly. I do not possess a vindictive disposition I am 
thankful to say, or I might — ” but the rest was lost in a 
sob. 

I soothed my wife with vague promises which I was 
rather afraid I should not be able to fulfil, but peace 
demands sacrifices, as all great treaties have proved. 

Monday was the first day of May, but we decided to 
go the Thursday before, Friday being considered unlucky. 
I engaged my men ; two great drays with fine strong 
horses, and two stalwart men to each team. Five dollars 
a load did not appear exobitant to me, since they 


122 


om WED Dim GIFTS. 


promised to take everything up and down, and put it 
just where it would need to stay. 

Bridget, whose month was up the day before, had left 
us very unceremoniously. She ^^lad never lived with a 
family who moved,” she said, and she didn’t believe 
she should like it, and then she had found a nice place 
where her cousin was laundress, and she’d have no wash- 
ing nor ironing to do.” True, there were thirteen in 
family, but she did not appear to mind that trifling off- 
set. Our new comer was strong and cheerful, but very 
ignorant. 

We were in the midst of breakfast when our movers 
descended upon us. The j^arlor furniture being so well 
boxed and packed would go first, and be stored as closely 
as possible in the parlor of the new house ; so two loads 
were dispatched very expeditiously. When they were 
out of the way I began at the bedsteads, several of which 
were still standing. Closets were full of everything; 
indeed it seemed to me now that nothing had been 
done. 

The twelve labors of Hercules may be a myth, but I 
doubt it. Grreek and Etruscan and Egyptian and Pom- 
peiian pottery may be classical, but one can forgive the 
tempers of those early ages when one has packed it. I 
ran up and down ; I handled over enough articles to 
start a museum or stock a house-furnishing store. I 
worked ; I tugged ; I perspired, and it was not a warm 
day either. I shouted myself hoarse, and candor com • 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


123 


pels me to add that I lost my temper, but nothing in 
this world is so easily found again. 

By noon we had made some impression. Now it \vas 
decided that the kitchen things should go, and Miss 
Muldoon accompany my wife around to the new domicile. 
I think I felt easier in my mind when they were out of 
the way. And now came the tug of war. It had been a 
work of strength and strategy to get Elizabeth’s elegant 
sideboard in the dining-room, and now it was to be 
taken out. I proposed that the carved top should be 
unscrewed first of all, but the men were slightly beery 
and obstinate, and persisted in carrying it as far as the 
doorway, when they became convinced. One man swore 
roundly at the folly of having such furniture to move 
about, and I echoed his sentiments with my whole heart. 
Yet I gave them many charges concerning it. 

While they were gone I sat down amid the ruins, 
Marius-like, and drew a long breath. “ What idiotic 
folly,” said I to myself, “ possesses people to move ! I 
had viewed it before in an economical light ; now I turned 
it over as a subject of philosophy. It certainly was an old 
and established custom. The Patriarchs moved with 
their fiocks and herds, wives and children; but these 
could walk. Tents could be folded up, raiment — they 
certainly did have changes of raiment, and household 
goods, but I doubted if sideboards, pianos and bedsteads 
eight feet high had been invented. Nay, now that I had 
strayed among Biblical times, I remembered that Adam 


124 


om WED Dim GIFTS. 


and Eve had moved, in rather a compulsory fashion, to 
he sure, but here our woe began. Fortunate for them 
that, if happen it must, it took place at so early a period 
of their housekeeping. As the trampling of men and 
horses broke on my ear I roused myself from my reverie 
and mentally subscribed to one clause of the Westminster 
Catechism. 

They loaded again, but still there was something left. 
I glanced around in dismay. Had furniture some mys- 
terious gift of re-duplicating itself by processes not yet 
understood, and again resuming its rightful proportions ? 
I began to believe in those uncanny household elves, 
who played the mischief with honest souls in by-gone 
times. Indeed, I was in that desperate state where I 
could believe anything. 

There’ll be about one load more,” said the head 
carman, with a diabolically cheerful smile. 

Elizabeth had charged me to go carefully over the 
house, and search every closet for articles that might have 
been overlooked. I did my duty in a rigorous fashion. 
I peered into every cranny and corner, I shook out every 
crumpled paper, I brought all the smaller articles down 
to the parlor, I stuffed the furnace and range full 
of rubbish, and could have performed an Indian war 
dance around the blaze. I am not sure but that I could 
have burned up the house with the greatest equanimity, 
and, like Nero, fiddled over the ruins. It is well there 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 125 

are strong safeguards to society, or in some unguarded 
moment a man might become a savage. 

At length the last thing was out. I barred the win- 
dows, bolted the door, slipped the latch-key in my 
pocket, and, hailing a car, was soon transported to our 
new street. A brisk walk of a square and a half, 
brought me face to face with a much-littered sidewalk 
and a wide-open hall door. 

If it had been confusion in the old place, what was it 
in the new ? Chaos come again, surely ! 

Will you settle the bill now ? ” inquired the most 
sober of the four men. 

I had provided for this emergency, and boldly answered 
in the affirmative. 

He took out a j)ocket inkstand and a printed blank, 
which he soon filled and handed to me. 

“ Sixty-five dollars ! ” I exclaimed, amazed at the 
man’s assurance. 

Why — yes. The bargain was five dollars a load. 
There have been thirteen loads. Six times going dou- 
ble, and once single ; ” and he stated the fact with the 
air of one who knows he cannot be gainsaid. 

Five dollars a load looked moderate. A large dray, 
with two horses and two men — you could not reasonably 
expect them to go for less. But sixty-five dollars was 
quite another view of the case. 

However, I paid it, like a well-disposed citizen. I 
could not say that I had been swindled. I marched 


126 


OUR WEDDim GIFTS. 


clown to the basement where Elizabeth sat, the picture 
of grief. Cheerful Eose Muldoon was bustling about 
and making the place look homelike. Kate was un- 
packing barrels and boxes, and putting the articles into 
a kind of dresser closet, built along one side of the 
kitchen. 

Look at that ! ” exclaimed Elizabeth, waving her 
hand tragically toward the adjoining room. That ele- 
gant sideboard is a ruin. Adolphus, those men were 
drunk ! yes, absolutely drunk ! if I must use such a 
disgusting term. And the headboard to my lovely bed- 
stead, dear uncle Yon Trump’s gift, is in the same 
plight. When they had it almost up stairs they let it 
fall. I thought the whole house was coming down. It 
seems to me that the least you could have done would 
have been to choose sober carmen ! ” 

My dear,” I said rather testily, I must confess, I 
did not think it necessary to inquire into the moral 
character of these mem We had no silver to be pur- 
loined, and really, how could I prevent their taking a 
glass or two of beer ? ” 

And you can make light of it, Adolphus. But it is 
all of a piece. 2 did not want to move. I was very wtII 
satisfied where we were, and I would not have lost 
Bridget for a good deal. And now see the result. I 
hope you are satisfied.” 

I knew I was a monster of heartlessness, but I had 
bad neither lunch nor dinner, and it is difficult for a 


OTIR WEDDING GIFTS. 


127 


man to practice the cardinal virtues on an empty stom- 
ach. However, I walked into the dining-room, and 
surveyed the ruins pointed out by my wife. Then I 
sauntered up stairs. 

It seemed to me that every readily accessible spot 
was blocked up with the most incongruous articles of 
furniture. The second floor was fllled full of things 
that should have gone up stairs. It was the most 
curious conglomerate I had ever seen. How would it 
ever get reduced to order ? I felt sick at heart, and 
yet, as Elizabeth had said, it was all my doing. I had 
moved ! 

We had something to eat that evening about dusk, I 
remember, set out on the kitchen table. We could 
have no gas. I had not thought of giving notice, so 
Kose went to the nearest grocery and purchased some 
candles. By their dim light, and with her assistance, 
I put up two bedsteads, and she spread the beds in a 
most tempting manner. I was thankful to tumble into 
mine, and, though I heard from Elizabeth some distress- 
ful sighs, I am ashamed to say that I fell asleep almost 
immediately. 

The carpets came home the next day, and a man to 
tack them down. Then we began to settle in good 
earnest. Furniture was placed, trunks and boxes were 
unpacked, and I gained courage to take a survey of the 
Yon Trump bedstead. It certainly was a ruin. One of 
the polished panels was split, and the carving scattered 


128 


OUR WEBBING GIFTS, 


as hopelessly as the ills in Pandora’s box, and, like 
them, could never he gathered again. The only thing i 
saw in the way of remedy was to have an entirely new 
headboard made, but I did not dare suggest this to 
Elizabeth as yet. 

On Saturday I went down to business. I had had 
enough moving for a lifetime. 

How we could have lived through it but for Miss Mul- 
doon’s cheerful presence, good common sense, and that 
admirable quality which leads one to make the best of 
things, I hardly know. Elizabeth ended by taking to 
her bed. In one respect it made matters easier, for our 
handmaiden had only to go ahead in her own fashion, 
which was a very good one, I must say. 

By some inadvertence our safe had been taken down 
into the basement. We had nothing to put in it, and the 
thing was hateful to my sight. I offered it to a friend 
for half of what it cost me, and, after some haggling, 
and a little further reduction in the price, he took it. 
We found our sideboard was too large for the corner in 
which it must stand, so Elizabeth proposed that we 
should sell it to a second-hand dealer, and buy a new 
one. Although not an economical arrangement, I thought 
it best not to dissent. Then I made my suggestion 
about the bedstead. 

‘^I’ve been thinking about something else,” said 
Elizabeth, with rather languid hesitation. “ It was 
dear uncle Yon Trump’s gift, to be sure — ” (I had paid 


OTJR WEBDim GIFTS. 


129 


for it myself ), and he is dead, but those great fussy 
things are going out of style, and that lovely Eastlake 
furniture is coming in. I should so like to have a set. 
I should think of poor uncle just the same, but the new 
set would be prettier and nicer, for that carving always 
did catch so much dust. Eose thinks it a great trouble 
to take care of. And since you insisted upon my moving 
here, Adolphus, quite against my will, it seems as if 
you ought to do something in return.” 

“ My dear,” I began slowly — 

Do not be so cruel as to refuse me, Adolphus ; if you 
do it will be the last thing I shall ever ask, and when 
you see me fading before your eyes — ” 

With that Elizabeth began to sob softly. 

“ My dear,” I essayed again, ‘^you did not give me a 
chance to reply. The idea was so new that I had to 
think a moment, and really, if you do desire it, I suppose 
it would be as well.” 

That was quite a diplomatic speech. Elizabeth came 
and bent over the back of my chair, kissed me, and called 
me a darling, and peace was restored. 

We sold the suite, what was left of it, for one hun- 
dred dollars, and our new Eastlake cost three hundred 
more in exchange. But by the first of June we had 
come to comparative order. True, now and then, some 
lost article that Elizabeth was sure I had left in the old 
house turned up in the most unlikely and incongruous 
place, but Eose always smoothed out troubles and difftcul- 


130 om WEDDim GIFTS. 

ties, and kept the household wheels in the right 
grooves. 

We began to like the house very much. It was nev/ 
and free from vermin, and the hack parlor was taken for 
a library, an arrangement that pleased me much, and 
that Elizabeth found very convenient. 

I scrutinized my accounts, rather startled at the re- 
sult. Moving, sixty-five dollars ; taking up carpets, 
cleaning and putting them down again, fifty-two ; extra 
help, breakages and repairs, thirty-seven ; difference in 
the new sideboard, seventy ; in the Eastlake set, three 
hundred ; a total of five hundred and twenty-five. The 
difference in the rent was very fully made up. We had 
gained a little in comfort, and, perhaps, it might he 
owing to new pipes and fixtures, hut the gas hills cer- 
tainly were not as large. 

In one respect I had lost ground. I was no longer 
master of the situation. Every unpleasant and uncom- 
fortable event that happened was laid to my desire for 
moving, and I felt certain that if at any time during the 
next ten years I should come down with small pox, 
Elizabeth would blame it to this particular house. If 
any extra expense was to be incurred this unfortunate 
moving was invoked to he godfather to it all. Seeking 
to recover lost ground was fatal. I simply gave up, hut 
never admitted it to Elizabeth. 

Our friends congratulated us — a pleasant and harm- 
less piece of politeness, hut we bought our new silver for 


OVB WEDDING GIFTS. 


131 


ourselves. Most of that was plated — I did not mean to 
offer a premium on thievery again. Elizabeth objected 
strenuously, but as I told her the Yon Trumps and the 
McFaddens and the Gilseys and many others had fallen 
out of our sphere by losses and failures, and in one or two 
instances by enormous defalcations. Times were get- 
ting worse. Trade was falling off everywhere. Ours was 
a solid old house to be sure, but there was not much look 
to increase one’s income. And now I began to feel afraid 
of speculating. More than one nice fellow that I knew 
had been cornered in stocks when everything seemed 
most promising, and in several instances the money 
lost was a friend’s or his employer’s. I had noth- 
ing to risk unless I used the credit of the firm ; and for- 
gery, as I explained to my wife one evening, had a rather 
ugly look, and seldom reflected credit upon a man. 

How could I ever get out of debt ? How did people 
economize ? What grand secret did Kitty Bromley 
possess that they could live on so much smaller income, 
and lay up money ? 

June came in very hot, and Elizabeth was not well. 
A summer in the city could hardly be thought of by 
even the most brutal and miser-like husband, and I 
surely was not tha-t. But where could my wife go ? I 
mean where could I afford to send her. ? 

Fate decided .it, by sending honest, laughing Joe Wal- 
ton up one day. He made Longport look so tempting 
that Elizabeth said, My dear Adolphus, I think 1 


132 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


will go down for a month. You can shut up the house 
and come every Saturday. Kate is getting so saucy 
she would have to he discharged, and Kose would like 
to go with me.” 

So that was settled. 


CHAPTER IX. 

Instead of one month, Elizabeth spent two at Long- 
port. There was nothing much to be afraid of in the 
house, so I used to shut it up Saturday morning with a 
clear conscience, and start at two for cousin Walton’s. 
They lived on the south side, and the station w^as a mile 
off, but Elizabeth would drive over for me, sometimes in 
the buggy, when we would have a cosy tete-a-tete ; at 
others in the big carriage, with Dora and some of the 
children. I must not omit to mention that Elizabeth 
brought the cat along, our pretty Maltie, who was very 
fond of its mistress. Dora was like a little picture, with 
her sun-browned, laughing face, her merry, teasing ways, 
and she and Elizabeth struck up quite a friendship. 
Then, in August, Joe insisted upon bringing the whole 
Bromley household down for a fortnight, and I took a 
vacation. I don’t think I had enjoyed anything so much 
since — well, since I had been married, at all events. I 
gained in flesh, and Elizabeth certainly was handsomer 


OTIR WEDDING GIFTS. 


133 


than ever before. She and Kitty had many mysterious 
confidences. I was pleased to see them so cordial, but 
why should they always stop talking when I came in 
sight, and put on that unconcerned, innocent look, as if 
they had merely been making some harmless remark 
about the moon ? I am sure I was neither jealous nor 
tyrannical. 

The pleasure came to an end, however. I had saved 
a little money, and felt quite elated. Moreover, we took 
home with us a rather elderly widow, who did us the 
favor to accept the place of cook, and who agreed very 
well. with Kose, our treasure. 

She came home first, and swept and garnished the 
house. Letty Cann and Elizabeth followed, and, I must 
say, we really came to the pleasure of living. Such 
breakfasts as Mrs. Cann managed to get at precisely hall- 
past seven, such princely dinners, and oh, such moderate 
butchers’ and grocers’ bills. I used to calm my jubilant 
spirits by thinking of our peerless Joanna and her un- 
kindly ending, and wondering what would happen to 
Mrs. Cann. Her husband had gone on a sea voyage 
some five years previous, and never returned, but I made 
sure that he would now. It was not in the history of 
human felicity that a man should be happy for weeks 
together. 

I noticed, too, that Kitty Bromley was down quite 
often. I seldom saw her, but Elizabeth would speak of 
her running in with evident pleasure. They were out 


134 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


shopping together, too, though my wife seemed quite 
disinclined to give any account of the proceedings. 

Did you get a new dress ? ” I ventured to inquire. 

N-o-o,” with evident reluctance. 

Or a new bonnet ? Are bonnets dear this season ? ” 
I asked with assumed interest, as I wanted Elizabeth to 
feel that her pleasure was mine. 

^^No ; I am just going to have my velvet done over. 
It will answer for all my going out this winter,” was the 
brief reply. 

I stared. Had Kitty Bromley really managed to 
induct Elizabeth into the science of economical dressing ? 
What could she have bought with the seventy-five dol- 
lars I gave her ! 

Then I remembered a story of a loving and dutiful 
wife who hid her savings week by week in the family 
Bible, and when misfortune overtook her husband, and 
all was swept away, she brought out the precious book, 
and falling on her knees before him, besought him to 
look over its pages, and he found sufficient to give him a 
fresh start in life. Did Elizabeth mean to imitate this 
heroic woman, and help me pay my debt incurred 
through the fatal generosity of wedding gifts ! My heart 
beat with unwonted emotion, and I could not forbear 
kissing her tenderly. 

Strange to relate, a few weeks after, she wanted to go 
shopping again. Kitty was coming down, and would 
spend the day. Could I let her have fifty dollars ? 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


135 


“ What do you want to get ? ” I asked. It surely 
cannot be wedding presents. Most of our friends seem 
to be married, and their children are not quite grown up.” 

You think you are very witty, Adolphus,” said my 
wife, with lofty severity. 

And you had seventy-five dollars — ” 

“ I declare, Adolphus, it is too bad ! Here I have gone 
without a new dress or anything this winter, and have 
given only two little tea parties, and been taken to only 
one opera, just one, with all the lovely stars that have 
been here, and two or three times to the theatre, and not 
a single ball, or crush party, and you can grudge me a 
poor paltry fifty dollars ! I expect you’ll ask me to keep 
account of every paper of pins, and spool of thread and 
piece of tape, and give you back the change. I never 
did think you were going to turn into such a tyrant, 
Adolphus, or I wouldn’t have married you, and what 
you will be when you get old — for miserly habits always 
grow upon one — and I have heard of people who went 
without light, and fire, and — and — ” 

Here Elizabeth’s feelings overcame her and she burst 
into a flood of tears. 

“ My dear — ” I said in mild consternation. 

You’ll think of all this, Adolphus, when I am gone,” 
she returned, solemnly. “ You will remember how you 
made me pack up and move when I hadn’t the strength 
of a mouse, and how everything was broken and jammed, 
and that 1 have never had a well day since.” 


136 


OUR WEDRim GIFTS. 


Here is the fifty dollars, and I don’t want the change 
bach,” I said, magnanimously. ^^My dear, can’t you 
stand a little bit of teasing ? ” 

Were you really teasing, Adolphus ? And you will 
not ask me anything about the money, or what I 
bought ? ” 

Not a word. Spend it all in penny trumpets if you 
like.” 

Oh, you dear Adolphus ! ” and she blushed and 
laughed, and I thought again of the family Bible. 

On the whole she was pretty fair. I had never found 
her so willing to give up parties, and, though she had 
bad spells two or three times in the middle of the 
coldest nights, I ran for the doctor cheerfully. 

She proposed we should have all the Bromleys to 
spend Christmas with us, and I was delighted. She 
even wondered if old aunt and uncle Berrian, from 
Kingsbridge, would not come, and insisted I should go 
in person to see. The old people were much pleased, 
but declined the invitation on account of their being 
feeble, and sent quantities of love to my wife. 

We had a magnificent Christmas. Letty Cann’s din- 
ner was fit for a king. Kitty and Elizabeth went up 
stairs, while Ned and I played blind man’s buff, puss in 
the corner, and sundry other games with the children, 
who shrieked with laughter, and Letty crowned the 
feast by making them hickory-nut candy. I really felt 
like a boy again after all the frolic. 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


137 


The last day of the old year, which happened to be 
Saturday, I was hurrying through some accounts to get 
everything straightened up, when a telegram was handed 
me, a summons to return home without delay. I seized 
my hat and great coat, and muttered something quite 
unintelligible to Mr. Trask, rushed out of the door, and 
hailed the first street car, which went at a snail’s pace, I 
thought. 

I found matters in the wildest confusion. Elizabeth 
knew she could not live. Would I go at once for Kitty 
Bromley, and stop on my way at some number East 
17th street — it was in her right hand bureau drawer — 
a card of Mrs. Bailey, and be sure to stop there first, 
and hurry home to receive her dying breath, and — 

“ Gro as quickly as you can,” said Rose Muldoon’s 
low, quiet voice. 

I started off, and had to come back for the card, which 
was not in the bureau, but Rose exhumed it, by some 
strange legerdemain. Mrs. Bailey I saw in person, a 
tall, dressy, severe, opinionated person, who did not 
evince the slightest surprise or ask a question, but said, 
impressively, as if she had been the Delphian oracle, 

I will come.” 

Kitty was out doing errands, but I waited and brought 
her along. The oracle had just come in a cab, with a 
large trunk, and was disputing fares with a cabman, who 
was in the right. I paid the sum myself, and she swept 
up the stairs with a scowl. 


138 


OUR wEDuma gifts. 


On Sunday morning, soon after sunrise, Elizabeth 
made me the proud father of a little son. Mother and 
child were doing well. I was hustled off up to the third 
floor with the important comment that everything de- 
pended upon quiet, and that Mrs. Stryker must not be 
disturbed. Indeed, this absurd edict was kept up until 
Tuesday evening, when I was allowed to glance at 
Elizabeth through the partly open door, as she lay sur- 
rounded by ruffled pillows, and inspect a bundle of 
flannel with a very red face, no nose to speak of, and an 
inch or two of black Indian scalp-lock, with the remark 
that it was the very picture of myself, and a boy to be 
proud of. My heart swelled with triumph. I wondered 
if it did not need something in the way of clothes, or 
to3^s, or — when it setup a shriek, and Mrs. Bailey looked 
as if she longed to annihilate me on the spot. 

That woman staid four weeks, and if she had re- 
mained two days more, I am convinced that I must have 
sought shelter on the warmest side of the chimney, 
trusting myself to the tender mercies of the tin roof. 
She seemed to begrudge me the food I ate, the clothes I 
wore, the very stairs that I went up and down. I could 
not read in the library ; it disturbed Mrs. Stryker. I 
went about tip-toe up stairs, and many a night it kept 
my wife from sleeping until two or three in the morn- 
ing. When I ventured to suggest that I was in bed by 
ten, Mrs. Bailey insisted it must have been my snoring. 
I, who never had been accused of such a thing by the 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


139 


wife of my bosom. Was there not another room I could 
take ? and she had tlie hardihood to prepose the sofa in 
the dining-room, looking as if I might be thankful she 
had not mentioned the station house or the Tombs. 
Husbands, in her opinion, were the crudest, selfishest 
(I give her own adjectives), miserablest, deceitfulest 
beings on the face of the earth. She wondered how 
women lived at all. She would not be tempted to marry 
again if a man was made of gold. 

She might cut slices off of him,” suggested Rose 
Muldoon, pithily. He would be quite unable to re- 
sist.” 

I paid her forty-eight dollars for four weeks services, 
called a cab, and Mrs. Bailey went away with her 
trunk. I felt curious to know what was in it, for she 
had worn one black silk dress the whole month. 

I found Elizabeth down at the dinner-table when I 
came home that day, looking uncommonly well, I 
thought. I kissed her fondly, and expressed my surprise. 

I’m so glad that horrid old thing’s gone. I’ll never 
have her again, never ! ” cried Elizabeth, decisively. 

The Vandewaters think there is no one like Mrs. 
Bailey.” 

I don’t believe there is, my dear,” I interrupted. 

But as it was the first time, I needed an experienced 
nurse, and the doctor thought I could not do better ; 
but oh ! she was dreadful ! However, she took good 
care of me, and baby; and you’ve hardly seen him, 


140 


OTJR WBDDING GIFTS, 


Adolphus I I’m sorry you do not like babies, but I 
always thought them a bore until now, and he’s the 
darlingest, dinktiest, daintiest, sweetest — ” 

‘^Who told you I didn’t like babies,” I inquired, 
fiercely. 

‘^Why — nurse. She said you never wanted to see 
him ; ” and Elizabeth looked reproachfully at me. 

Then she — lied ! She would never let me come in.’’ 

That is too funny ! ” and Elizabeth laughed. “ She 
pretends to think husbands dreadful, but if no one mar- 
ried where would her twelve dollars a week come from ? 
And I dare say she tried to set you up against me ? ” 
and my wife looked inquiringly. 

No, she was true to her sex,” I replied. 

We had a merry feast, and then I took my wife up 
stairs on my arm, and inspected my son in his cradle, 
who seemed to have bleached out, to have grown, and to 
look quite like a human being. 

^^He’s had the red gum and the jaundice ; that makes 
him look white, but oh, Adolphus, if he should ever get 
the croup, or scarlet fever, or measles or mumps, or be 
bitten by some nasty Spitz dog, or get stolen like Charley 
Ross, what should we do ! ” and Elizabeth began to cry. 

I comforted my dear wife. I sat by my own grate fire 
and came back to the rights and privileges of my own 
house. I brought down my shirts and collars and socks, 
and put them in my own bureau drawer. I hung up my 
coats and pantaloons in my own wardrobe, and last of 


OUR WEBBING GIFTS. 141 

all put my best boots in the bath-room closet. I was a 
liappy man that night. 

The baby throve and grew, and had innumerable callers 
and gifts. I thought him rather pretty ; much prettier 
than many babies I had seen. He was fairly good too, 
sleeping all night and seldom crying. But the next great 
puzzle was what to name him. 

“ What is your old uncle’s name, Adolphus ? ” asked 
my wife. 

“Nicholas. Nicholas Berrian,” I answered. 

“ That sounds rather stylish.” 

“But if you were called uncle Nickey, or even old 
Nick ? ” 

“ Oh, good gracious ! ” cried Elizabeth. 

“ I’d like something plain and pretty — short.” 

“ It must be Adolphus for one name. We may never 
have another son,” she said in a solemn tone. “ And 
there ought to be some distinctive family name. How 
would it do to take mine ? Adolphus V. T. Stryker ? 
Now, that has a certain air,” and she held her head in a 
stately poise. 

“ We shall have to call him Dolph, and school boys 
will call him Dolph, and odd trump, or old trump or 
trump card, they are such torments. I used to wish in 
my boyhood that I had been called John after my father.” 

“I don’t believe I could have made up my mind to 
marry you then,” said my wife, simply. 

I inclined to Edward or Joseph, but Elizabeth did not 


U2 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


seem to favor these. Various were the names we tried 
on, and that were given by friends, many the discussions, 
some of which candor compels me to state were ratlier 
heated. Elizabeth bought his christening robe, appointed 
a day, asked in some friends. Ned Bromley was to be 
his godfather. What should we do about a name ! 

The eventful morning came, and we renewed our vain 
efforts. I think Elizabeth still had a leaning toward 
Adolphus Yon Trump, but I was resolved to stand out 
stoutly. Surely a man had some rights in so important 
a thing as the name of his son. 

Adolphus,’' said my wife, laying aside for a moment 
her argumentative tone, I wish you would stop as you 
go down town and leave these orders. Now don’t for- 
get. And be sure to come home early.” 

I scribbled names over the ledger that day, and mis- 
directed several envelopes. I longed for, yet dreaded the 
hour of my return to the bosom of my family. But it 
came like most other exigencies in this life, and brought 
with it strength to meet the fatal moment. I let my- 
self in with my latch key, and assumed a firm bearing 
and a proud step. 

There was a buzz in the parlor, and a rustle of femi- 
nine garments. Anastasia Germain, one of Elizabeth’s 
high art friends, a really fine water colorist, whom she 
had picked out for Van Bricklebach, was to be god- 
mother. She was a very nice, pleasant girl of about 
twenty-four. There was Kitty and two or three others. 


OVB WEDDING GIFTS. 


143 


and Elizabetli had just been filling an old-fashioned 
silver bowl, out of which some princess had once been 
christened, with water from the river Jordan, that some 
travelled friend had sent her. She was explaining 
where Kitty and Miss Germain were to stand ; and then 
they all rushed up stairs, and some more women came, 
and several gentlemen. 

I hurried into my best clothes, parted my hair straight 
in the back, scented my handkerchief, gave one last 
twitch to my cravat, and was ready. There was my son 
with a trail of lace, and puffs, and needlework, and 
Heaven only knows what all. The black Indian scalp 
lock had fallen out of the top of his head, and in its 
place had come a kind of fuzz with a suspiciouly red 
look ; but his eyes were large and dark blue — very hand- 
some, I thought. He was fat and fair, and just now ap- 
peared supremely good-humored. 

What is the name to be ? asked some one. 

Elizabeth and I glanced up simultaneously, and my 
natural candor compels me to say that we eyed each 
other in a rather belligerent fashion. There was an 
ominous silence. 

Have n’t you really named him ? ” and the laugh, 
though pleasant, had an aggravating sound. 

think the eldest son ought always to be named for 
his father. Family names proclaim good blood at once,” 
was Elizabeth’s incisive comment. 

But mine is not a family name,” I returned, with 


144 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


much warmth. My mother took it from an old novel. 
It was the terror of my boyhood, and the butt of my 
schoolmates, although it answers for a man. Then, to 
have an old Adolphus and a young Adolphus in the 
family — ” 

We could call him by his middle name,” suggested 
Elizabeth, with lofty dignity. 

He has no middle name,” said I, severely. 

Hr. Lightwood has come,” was the next announce- 
ment. 

“ Elizabeth!” 

Mr. Stryker 1 ” 

A cold perspiration came out'on my forehead. Was 
I to give in and let my little son go down to j)08terity 
as Adolphus Yon Trump Stryker ? That sweet, inno- 
cent little mortal ; what had he done to deserve such a 
fate ? 

Mr. Stryker, the clergyman is waiting,” said Eliza- 
beth, with overwhelming dignity and in a freezing tone. 

My courage was oozing out of my finger ends. Either 
I must give in, or we must have a scene before our 
guests, who were looking on with wondering interest. 
My wife had a firmness of character that I am well con- 
vinced would have made her a heroine of history if she 
had lived in some previous century. I have sometimes 
regretted that the century lost so much. 

My dear — ” and there I paused, staring wildly 
around, but I could have clutched my hair in my des- 


OUR WEDDINa GIFTS, 145 

peration, except that I had succeeded in getting it ar- 
ranged just to my liking. 

‘‘ What name have you to suggest ? ” said my wife, 
with that awful blandness, a sure precursor of a woman’s 
victory. 

Did you ever think of Laurence ? it was your 
mother’s maiden name, you know, and I always thought 
it so beautiful,” said Kitty Bromley, coming to the 
rescue. 

No, I have not,” and I glanced at my wife, who was 
tragic enough for Norma. Would she be willing to call 
her son after her mother-in-law ? That lovely and sweet 
tempered personage was dead, to be sure. 

^^And my mother’s maiden name was Wayne,” de- 
clared Elizabeth, with a strangly joyous accent and much 
pride. Laurence Wayne Stryker ! Now doesn’t that 
fit together nicely ? Adolphus, I do not see why you 
couldn’t have thought of it before, instead of your silly 
Eugenes and Ernests ! ” 

I do not think I had ever mentioned them. 

If it wasn’t for you, Kitty, I don’t believe the baby 
would have been named at all. Men are no dependence 
whatever in such matters. Laurence Wayne, my precious 
darling ! ” and she kissed the baby rapturously. Let 
us go down.” 

I understood then how new and unknown men slip 
into the Presidential chair. Both parties dispute and 
quarrel until every available man has been fought ont. 


146 


OUR WEDDim GIFTS. 


and tlie combatants tired of the warfare, f In whips some 
one with a new man, and, presto ! the thing is settled. 

We marched down stairs^and our little son was made 
Laurence Wayne beyond a perad venture. He was ex- 
tremely good, I must say, and had four silver cups given 
him, three teaspoons, and one fork. Mr. Trask had pre- 
sented me with a check for fifty dollars when he was but 
a week old, and fancy dry-goods of all kinds had been 
showered upon him by doating feminines. 

We had a nice little feast, and Elizabeth was 
gracious as a queen. Just as we were going to bed that 
night, however, she took occasion to say : Adolphus, 

how you did act this afternoon ! I never was so morti- 
fied in all my life. People will think you treat me like 
a — a — slave ! Yes, that is just it 1 Denying me the 
privilege of naming my own child ! ” 

But you are — pleased — suited ? ” I inquired, hesi- 
tatingly. 

“ Suited ! There is no credit due you, Adolphus 1 
in withering scorn. You would have been glad to 
have your son go down to the grave nameless, and had 
the guests and the clergyman here under false pretences. 
Yes, my darling ! ” bending over the cradle, but for 
good, sweet Kitty Bromley, who has a mother’s heart, 
you might have answered to that hideously common 
name, John 1 ” and Elizabeth began to weep. 

We made peace at last, and the price on my part was 
a new black silk dress, with velvet sleeves and trim- 


OUR WEDDim GIFTS. I47 

mings, some Duchesse lace, and six new pairs of kid 
gloves. 

“For you know I have not had a thing in nearly a 
year,” sobbed my charmer, with her head on my shoul- 
der, “ and I have tried to be so economical, for I knew 
how much it cost to move, Adolphus ; and some wives 
would have thrown that up to you, continually, for I 
was very well suited, and knew we couldn’t save any- 
thing by the change, but you would have your own 
way.” 

“ Elizabeth,” I answered, solemnly, am an obsti- 
nate, pig-headed, opinionated, self-willed donkey ! ” 

After which concession, we kissed each other and fell 
asleep sweetly. 


CHAPTER X. 

And now, I said to myself, for my boy’s sake, I must 
make every effort to get out of debt. Alas ! so easy to 
resolve, so hard to execute. I could not grumble about 
the manner in which household affairs were carried on — 
it seemed as though we had never enjoyed such an im- 
munity from worry. Letty and Rose were household 
angels. Elizabeth was a very devoted mother, it seemed 
to me, only, if we should have six children, and all 
equally expensive, ruin would stare me in the face. Old 


148 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


Mr. Trask seemed to take a great interest in me, and 
be proud of my business career, in that I had let 
severely alone all kinds of stock speculating. He did 
not know it was because I had no courage to venture. I 
felt mean in my own eyes to take the credit for principle 
and rectitude, and when he praised me for living within my 
means, and hinted that no doubt I had saved a little, I 
could hardly keep the tell-tale color out of my face. 

One evening, late in April, Ned Bromley dropped in 
with his cheerful greeting. 

Hillo 1 old fellow ! ” he said, gaily, let’s walk up 
a bit. I have some plans to talk over, and don’t want 
to confide them to my neighbors in the horse car.” 

All right ! ” I returned. It is just the evening 
for walking. You haven’t had a fortune left you, Ned ? 
You look so jubilant.” 

^^No. We may all get two or three hundred apiece 
when poor old uncle Nickey dies,” and he laughed gaily. 

Adolphus, I think I shall buy a house. I want you to 
go out in Jersey with me to-morrow to look at it. It has 
been offered to me at less than it cost, and it is my ideal, 
there ! Kitty and I have taken one look at it, and she’s 
wild to go. 

How does such a bargain fall into your hands ? ” I 
asked, with a twinge of envy. 

0, Chetworth is in lots of trouble. I am afraid 
there is something more than he owns to, though, really, 
I have no right to suspect. But he’s caught now with 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


149 


a lot of property on his hands, and that is tumbling 
down like’ a row of card houses. He has been raising 
money on mortgages. It seems foolish to me to pay out 
so much for interest all the time, but I think men have 
been wild on the subject. Keal estate isn’t any surer 
than, anything else. Well, now he is compelled to sell. 
There is a mortgage coming due on this house in July, 
and he cannot meet it, so he wants to sell before that time 
and realize all he can.” 

Look out that you don’t get into trouble,” I advised 
sagely. “ What is it like ? ” 

Suburban, of course. On the outskirts of H — , 
forty-minutes from Hew York, five from the railroad 
station, with horse cars hut a few blocks off ; one hun- 
dred feet front by three hundred deep, the house stand- 
ing back from the street about thirty feet, pretty lawn, 
with shrubbery, garden, and quantities of fruit, and a 
cosy, lovely house. He built it for his wife. About 
three weeks ago he tried to sell it at auction, and there 
was only one bid, from a real estate dealer, for five thou- 
sand dollars.” 

And he asks — how much ? ” 

‘‘ Seven thousand. The house cost eight, and the 
lot one thousand when he bought it. Street graded, 
flagged, water and gas, just as complete as possible. It 
could be built more cheaply now, prices have gone down 
80, but, on the other hand, they have frescoed the walls, 
improved the grounds, built a fine hennery and small 


150 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


barn, which would count up another thousand. The 
thing is, it exactly suits. When you build it takes some 
time for fruit to grow.” 
j: What terms can you make ? ” 

The four thousand is to be paid down. Then, I 
will have to look out for the mortgage in July.” 

Can you do that ? ” 

We have, Kitty and I together — I give her a house- 
keeping allowance, you know, and what she saves is 
hers — just thirty-seven hundred dollars. Now, ’Dolph, 
I hate to say it, but there is no use beating about the 
bush, if you could let me have a little sum, and the rest 
in July, unless it pinches you too very much — ” 

Yes,” I said, rather huskily. 

I hate to ask it, old chap, and would not under any 
other circumstances, but when you see the place, you ’ll 
say it’s too good to let slip. You will go to-morrow, sure. 
Kitty was bound I should not decide until you had seen 
it.” 

I promised. Then Ned branched into an eloquent 
description of rooms, and closets, and halls, and grape- 
vines, pear and fruit trees, asparagus and strawberry 
beds, raspberries and Lawtons, until I felt more envious 
than before. 

I entered my own house with a sigh. Elizabeth sat 
in the nursery with Kose and the sleeping babe. After 
the gas was lighted, I betook myself to the library. I 
had made some headway with my debts. Except a few 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


151 


trifling items, it was in one sum, two thousand dollars, 
due Ned Bromley, with half yearly interest in July. I 
had been married now almost three years and a half, 
and part of this sum, nay, about all, was for our house 
furnishing. And on a less salary, Ned had saved up 
almost enough to buy him a house, taking care of his 
wife and three children. I groaned inwardly at the 
contrast. 

However, the money must be raised. It would never 
do to disappoint so good a friend, and make Ned no end 
of trouble. But how and where ? Money was hard to 
get. Each man distrusted his neighbor. I had a life 
policy for two thousand. I could raise something on 
that, but I had one bitter experience of borrowing, and 
shrank from the ordeaL 

However, I went out with Ned and Kitty the next 
day, and found the place had not been over-praised. A 
large parlor, divided by a hall from library and dining- 
room, splendid kitchen with every convenience, and 
butler’s pantry, on the one floor ; laundry, and light, airy 
cellar down stairs, four delightful chambers on the sec- 
ond floor ; with bath room, back stairs, and servants’ 
room, over the kitchen ; and a regular old-fashioned 
garret with three gables. A roomy porch, a pretty con- 
servatory, and a bay window in the library ; the parlor 
sensibly on the north side. It was a bargain, even for 
these depressing times. How could I advise otherwise 
than for them to take it 


152 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


“ You think it won’t pinch you to raise me a little 
money ? ” whispered Ned, as we strolled along the 
grounds. You see I should want to move in about 
ten days, and I would like five hundred now if you could 
raise it for me.” 

You shall have it,” I replied, promptly. 

I took my policy to a broker the next day, and raised 
one thousand dollars, which I turned over to Ned, prom- 
ising him the other thousand and the interest the first 
day of July. 

We were very sorry to have them leave the city, but 
Kitty pictured the lovely visits we were to make, and 
the wonderful fruit we were to gather from the trees, 
and the roses Ned was to bring in town to his friends. 
Elizabeth was much interested, and promised to go out 
as soon as they were settled. 

Up to this time Kitty had been her own housemaid, 
with the exception of occasional services. Now she 
looked about and found a young German woman, a de- 
serted wife, with a boy two years old, who was willing 
to go for a good home and low wages. 

I was quite curious to know what they would do in 
the matter of furnishing, for I knew Ned would have no 
money to spare. We went out the second week in June, 
and the place was in a glow of beauty. I do not know 
much about symphonies of color,” nor high art, nor 
Eastlake, nor Chippendale, nor Henri Deux, but this 
was a pretty, simple American home, with no Koman 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


153 


candlesticks, and Moorish rugs, and Persian hangings, 
and cracked china, and jugs, and hideous bronzes. It 
did not tire the eye to look around, neither did you have 
to pick your way about. There was plenty of room in- 
doors and out ; there was matting on parlor and hall ; 
there was a good wholesome painted kitchen floor ; 
there were flowers swinging in windows, standing on 
brackets, perfuming every place, and the children ran 
about in wild delight. 

The last of the month Ned informed me that he had 
made an arrangement with his insurance company to 
hold a mortgage of two thousand dollars. The interest 
of that, taxes and commutation, would be about as much 
as the rent he had paid in New York. He was very 
enthusiastic about gardening, and already into chicken 
. business. 

I cast about to see where I could raise the remaining 
thousand dollars. A friend proposed to loan me the sum 
for two years for one hundred bonus and interest. This 
I respectfully declined. Another wished me to give the 
endorsement of the firm. A third whom I had assisted 
materially in my bachelor days was very curious, and 
made some inquiries concerning the firm that old Mr. 
Trask thought extremely impertinent. Then I did what 
I had thought of at first, but shrank from with shame 
and disgust, gave a chattel mortgage on my furniture. 

The baby began teething, and Elizabeth went to 
board at Longport, taking Kose. Letty Gann was very 


154 


OUR WEB DIN a GIFTS, 


glad to have a vacation. I used to run up to Ned’s about 
every other night, and down to Longport to spend Sun- 
day. The baby was very ill once for twenty-four hours. 
Elizabeth went into hysterics, and I was telegraphed for. 
We finished up our summer with a fortnight at Kitty’s, 
and I managed to pay three hundred on my mortgage, 
but I practised a most rigid economy. I had no expensive 
lunches. I limited my cigars, and felt that I was grow- 
ing penurious. What if I should turn miser in the end ? 
But if I did ever get out of debt, nothing, nothing,, 
NOTHING ! should ever induce me to go behindhand 
again. 

‘^Adolphus,” said my wife one day in October, 
persuaded Mrs. Walton to let Dora come to us for part 
of the winter at least. She is a very pretty girl, but 
needs toning down and the polish that good society in- 
variably gives. She will be here the first of November, 
and remain until after the holidays. Now, we must 
make it real bright and pleasant for her. They are al- 
ways so kind to us.” 

Yes,” I answered from behind my paper. I shall 
be very glad to have her come. I have always liked 
Dora.” 

Whatever may be Elizabeth’s faults, and putting aside 
her utter inability to understand the smallest principle 
of economy, she has as few as most women, but one 
virtue shines out like a star in the night — she is not 
jealous ! 


OTIR WEDDING GIFTS. 


155 


would be pleasant, Adolphus, after she gets 
rested, and has one or two new dresses made, to invite in 
a few friends — do you not think so ? IVe behaved 
shamefully to society this last year, but my excuse is the 
duties of motherhood, and Laurie is so excessively cun- 
ning and pretty. I can never be sufficiently thankful, 
Adolphus, that Kitty Bromley overruled your absurd 
fancy for names, and that the child need never be 
ashamed of his. And it is strange,” she went on plain- 
tively, how much sooner a man will listen to any other 
woman than he will to his wife.” 

I am listening to you now, Elizabeth,” I responded, 
pointedly. 

What was I talking of — ^you do break in upon one’s 
thoughts so t Oh, Adolphus, do you know any nice 
young men ? Dora will think it very dull if no one calls 
on her, or takes her out. There are the two Bonds living 
next door but one, and Gertie Henly has a brother, 
but you see the most of my gentlemen friends are older 
than she would care for, and artists and intellectual 
men.” 

There is our bookkeeper — one of the numerous Yan 
Duynes — a very nice young man, we think.” 

^^And of good family,” assented my wife readily. A 
Yan or a De caught her fancy at once. 

I want you to think up a few. And, Adolphus, we 
must go to an opera, and some nice ball. We cannot be 
mean about such things, you know.” 


156 


OUB WEB Dim GIFTS. 


would quite like a good play myself,” I said. 
‘^Yes, I will see about it when she comes.” 

Dora made her appearance a week later and was cor- 
dially welcomed. Elizabeth Avas A^ery agreeable, and 
Dora thought her charming. They went out shopping, 
had a dressmaker, and we laughed and cried over the new 
star at Booth’s. 

Then the few friends were asked in. Professor Zaffa 
came to play on the piano and brought with him a violin- 
ist ; the library Avas turned into a dancing-room, and an 
elegant supper laid in the dining-room with stylish black 
Avaiters, and also a very good looking youth at the hall 
door. 

Yet I must confess I was somewhat taken aback at 
the magnitude of Elizabeth’s “ few friends.” I should 
have called it a regular party. She Avas quite resplen- 
dent in mauve silk and velvet, while Dora Avas bewitch- 
ing in white, with some pale, shimmering blue stuff 
over it, and coquettish blue bows, looking like little 
birds that had just lighted on it. Then she was so 
bright and merry that I had to smile at her myself. 

Harry Van Duyne made his appearance, and proved a 
success. He was very good looking and gentlemanly, 
and danced splendidly, Dora said afterward. There was 
a little card playing, much music and talking, but the 
younger members gravitated naturally toward dancing. 
Everybody was extremely gay at supper, and I never re- 
member Elizabeth being in better spirits or looking 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


157 


handsomer. Since the birth of our child she appeared 
to have renewed her youth. Altogether it was a suc- 
cess. I enjoyed it so much myself that, although the 
hills afterward surprised me, I thought it best to make 
no comment to the partner of my joys, but I may men- 
tion, confidentially, that it quite drained my reserve 
fund. 

There was much coming and going after this. We 
had a Christmas dinner with the Waltons and the 
Bromleys and a few others, and then we had New Year’s 
calls, in a severely stylish manner. Dora plead to stay 
on, and Elizabeth wanted to keep her. Our house be- 
came quite a resort for evening callers. Some of our 
old friends seemed very glad to get back to us, and now 
and then discussed the absent ones. I must say many 
of those who had fallen out were no loss. Of the 
McFaddens, we heard that Tim had drank himself to 
death, and his wife, six months after, had married a 
French count. Elizabeth sighed a little at these tidings, 
and wondered whether I would ever feel that I could 
afibrd a winter at Paris. She had really gone nowhere 
since her marriage. 

‘^Everybody speaks of my devotion to you, Adol- 
phus,” she said, with plaintive reproach. 

However, she began to have her hands full. What 
woman can resist the temptation of match-making. 
Van Brickelbach became a frequent visitor, and she was 
always asking in dear Stacy. I must say that Miss Ger- 


158 


om WEB Dim GIFTS, 


main had colored us a most lovely portrait of Laurie, 
and Van had painted one in oils that did not please me 
so well, hut Elizabeth pronounced it more true to the 
rules of art. Then she had selected a lover for Dora, in 
the person of a small, slight youth, who wore immacu- 
late kids and tremendous diamond shirt studs, and an 
eye-glass, and who answered to the name of Gouveneur 
Lockwood, but more familiarly known as Gov. His 
father was a great broker and real estate dealer, and 
railroad and steamboat man, and counted his fortune by 
millions. Then, young Mr. Lockwood had a maiden 
aunt, with a great fortune, whose will was made in his 
behalf, and who was rather queer,^’ at present, an in- 
mate of some insane asylum, where she was put, it was 
rumored, to keep her from committing so desperate and 
dreadful a deed as matrimony. Mr. Lockwood drove a 
fine team, spent money lavishly, but, in my estimation, 
he was a fool, and worse. I once undertook to argue 
the point with Elizabeth, but I found her so illogical 
that I retired from the field in disgust. One thing 
afforded me immense satisfaction. I knew Mr. Lock- 
wood was too much in love with his own perfumed and 
gorgeously got ten-up person to take a serious fancy to 
any one else, and Dora had too much good sense to be 
caught with such chaff. We had tickets showered upon 
us for everything, we had invitations until I was tired 
of them, but Elizabeth was in her glory. I had not the 
heart to interfere, though I did suggest occasionally that 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 159 

— really — all this was quite expensive, and everybody 
was economizing, and times were hard — 

“ Adolphus, it is for your relative, not mine,’’ said 
Elizabeth, with the dignity of conscious rectitude. I 
should think you would he glad to have me love and 
honor your relatives. I have no brothers and sisters of 
my own — you will observe that old families are never 
very large — not even a mother, Adolphus, for you to 
find fault with, but I am sure poor dear aunt Yon 
Trump was the kindest of mothers to me, and I have a 
sympathetic presentiment that I shall never see her 
again,” and my wife put her handkerchief to her eyes. 
^^Eo, Adolphus, you have never been asked to spend a 
penny for my family, and they have loaded me with 
kindnesses, yes, and gifts when I was married, even if 
they were stolen. And now you grudge me the few lit- 
tle pleasures I am offering to Dora, your own cousin’s 
child — ” 

“ No ! no ! ” I cried hurriedly, I don’t grudge you 
anything reasonable, my dear, but — ” 

Adolphus, you are growing absolutely penurious ! 
A miser is my utter abhorrence ! ” 

I said no more. 

A few days after this I came home with a stuffy cold 
in my head, a pain in my back, and an intense aching in 
all my limbs. My temples throbbed like a trip-hammer, 
I was hot and cold by turns, and in the evening a most 
racking headache set in. Dora and Elizabeth had gone 


160 


OUR WRRRim GIFTS, 


to a concert, but Eose Muldoon was kindly solicitous, 
bathed my head, made mustard draughts, and would 
fain have sent for the doctor, but I thought I would 
wait until morning. 

When my wife returned she was all hysterical excite- 
ment, though knowing well the delicate state of her 
nerves, I refrained from groaning aloud. 

What did I think it was ? Had I exposed myself 
to small pox or scarlet fever or measles, or anything that 
I could bring home to the boy ? The father of a family 
ought to be doubly careful.” 

I faintly suggested pneumonia, which was very preva- 
lent but not at all catching. 

don’t know,” said Elizabeth, shaking her head 
mournfully. ‘Ht does sometimes go through whole 
families. And if Laurie should take it, dear, sweet little 
lamb ! Good gracious, Adolphus, and this door I 
suppose has been open to the nursery the whole evening ! 
Men never do think. I shall have the doctor the first 
thing in the morning. Have you been anywhere, or do 
you remember taking any very dirty looking money ? 
contagion is carried in that you know. Now if you had 
been buying a suit of clothes — I should say those poor 
wretched people who toil for their scanty pittance might 
— but it is one comfort to think you have no new clothes. 
I shudder to think of the risk men do run, with innocent 
families to suffer. And, Adolphus, I believe I’ll make a 
bed on the sofa in the next room. I’ll put a bell on the 


OUR WEDDim GIFTS. IGl 

table so that if you want anything you can call, and I 
will ask Kose to come down stairs.’’ 

Yes, my dear, you had better go,” I said faintly, for 
though the voice of my charmer is not registered on 
upper C, it was more than I could bear just now. 

Left alone to myself I tossed and tumbled, I scorched 
and froze, and. terrible suspicions came into my mind. 
What was it .J’ What if I were to be very ill and die ! 
Elizabeth a widow, my child fatherless ! 

In the dread and solemn hour of night this awful 
vision confronted me. My furniture was 'mortgaged, 
my life policy pledged. No sooner would the breath 
be out of my body, at least, no longer than I was safely 
under ground would these hungry claimants wait. There 
would be the cruel mortification, the disgrace, the scandal, 
confronting my beloved wife, who would never know why 
I did such a thing. People would suspect me of gam- 
bling, of keeping improper company, of forgery or mur- 
der, or some dreadful secret whose silence I had been 
compelled to purchase. Why did he do it ? the thou- 
sand tongues would ask. Old Mr. Trask would elevate 
his eyebrows and shake his head mournfully at his mis- 
placed trust. He might even go over the books to see if 
I had not defrauded him. Oh, those wretched wedding 
presents ! If we could have married without them ; if 
we could have gone to housekeeping simply, and kept out 
of debt. And now it must all be blazoned forth to the 
world ! 


162 


OJin WEDDING GIFTS. 


I suppose, at last, I fell into a troubled slumber. I 
fancied I was climbing a steep, high hill, with an 
enormous load on my back. Over my head toppled uncle 
Von Trump’s great carved bedstead ; on my arms were 
strung silver ware, pictures, bronzes, and verde-antiques, 
whose hideous grinning faces leered, and each one 
seemed to have a jeering voice, that said — We are 
wedding presents 1 we are wedding presents ! Up the 
hill with us you must climb, for your bride awaits 
you ! ” I tugged and worked ; my arms ached ; my 
back was strained to the uttermost ; my neck was nearly 
broken ; I gasped and groaned, but all in vain, on I 
must go. Occasionally my foot slipped, and then all 
the articles banged together with a dreadful clatter, 
bruising and rasping me. On and on, until I reached 
the top, when there stood Joanna, our once highly 
esteemed maid, with a fiendish smile on her face, a 
mocking light in her eyes, and touching my pack with 
her fingers, she laughed long and loud. Down the hill 
it rolled with terrific reverberations, and seemed ground 
to powder. A swarm of imps started out of the debris, 
and dancing round wildly, screamed at the top of their 
lungs — We are wedding presents ! we are wedding 
presents ! ” and I awoke, gasping and panting. 

The doctor came in about ten o’clock. 

“ Sorry to see you here, Mr. Stryker,” said he. “ A 
little feverish — h-m-m. Any pain in your chest ? ” 

I believe I said I was in pain all over. 


OVB WEDDim GIFTS. 163 

He sounded my chest, my lungs, and listened to my 
breathing. I awaited his verdict with solemn awe. 

“ Sound as a nut ! There’s nothing the matter with 
you but a little feverish cold. You’ll be out again in a 
day or two. It is as well to be careful, however.” 

And it is not contagious ? ” cried Elizabeth, much 
relieved. 

Hot a bit of it. Nurse him up a little, and he will 
soon be as good as new.” 

I drew a long, thankful breath. I knew how a re- 
prieved criminal felt. 

Elizabeth proved herself the most solicitous of wives 
for the next three days, and Dora was the most bewitch- 
ing of nurses. Yan Bricklebach sent me some hot-house 
fruit, and Miss Germain played chess with me all one 
evening. Harry Van Duyne came up every evening, and 
if it had not been for that awful, haunting shadow of 
debt, I should have been a happy man. 


CHAPTER XI.^ 

I NEVEK would have believed it, never ! ” declared 
Elizabeth, majestically. 

Believed what ? ” I inquired, looking fondly at my 
son in his cradle. 

“ That Van Bricklebach — ^but how could he ? That is 


164 


OTJR WEDDING GIFTS. 


what I can’t understand, Adolphus. He with all his art 
education, his true and harmonious sympathy, his keen 
perception of form and color* his intense nervousness 
when anything outrages the canons of strict taste, his 
lofty ideals, his — ” and my wife looked at me aghast. 

What has he done ? ” 

“ And I felt sure they of all others would he kindred 
spirits ! They had the same tastes, the same pursuits ; 
they would have a home in accordance with the correct 
rules of art. Their life would have been an idyl ! I 
am wounded to my heart’s core. My poor, dear Stacy ! ” 

Have they quarrelled ? ” 1 began to see the drift of 
my wife’s anxiety, I thought. 

Quarrelled ! ” No black type and white paper, no 
millions of exclamation points could do justice to my 
wife’s tone. I felt sure then that the stage had lost one 
of its brightest ornaments, and was humbled to think 
of what I had deprived the world. 

Well, such things do happen.” 

Adolphus, you know nothing about it. I have always 
said you might have a good faculty for business, though 
it does seem as if you ought to have made more money, 
but you have not an artistic temperament. A man who 
cannot tell Mezza Majolica from Etruscan, or Medicean 
porcelain from delft ought not pretend — ” 
do not, my dear,” I replied meekly. 

^‘And she refused him!” went on Elizabeth, with 
a tone of sombre tragedy. 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS, 


165 


Miss Germain ? ” 

No, no ! you are always so impatient, Adolphus. It 
was Dora ! The utter incongruity of his asking her is 
only equalled by the mad foolishness of the child in refus- 
ing him I ” 

Why surely,” I said in surprise, you would not 
want a sweet young girl like Dora, hardly seventeen, to 
marry that withered up, parchment-colored, bald-headed, 
middle-aged man — ” 

Adolphus, do you know of whom you are speak- 
ing ? ” 

“ He may he well enough in an art way,” said I, with 
sudden boldness, but as a husband for a young girl — > 
and he really fell in love with our gay, bewitching Dora, 
who laughs at him, teases him and ridicules the very 
things he adores ; oh, it is too funny ! ” and I dropped 
into a chair, weak from laughing. I don’t wonder you 
are surprised.” 

“ Do not make an idiot of yourself,” exclaimed my wife, 
severely. 

There was a diversion just then. Rose brought up 
stairs an elegant basket of hot-house flowers with Mr. 
Lockwood’s compliments, and would Miss W’’alton like 
to drive in the park to-morrow morning ? 

Yes,” answered Elizabeth, valiantly. “ She is out 
just now. Rose, hut she will be very happy to go, tell 
him, with Mrs. Stryker’s compliments. And now, 
Adolphus,” turning to me with a lofty and judicial 


166 


OXIR WE I) Dim GIFTS, 


aspect, I suppose if Mr. Lockwood were to propose to 
Dora, you would have some good reason why she should 
not accept him.” 

I certainly should. He is a fool to begin with ; he 
knows nothing of any kind of business ; he deems it his 
bounden duty to run after every star actress, and drags 
out a useless, if not a positively vicious life ! I am sorry 
Dora has seen so much of him, or that she has met him 
here. And I wish she wouh^ not go to ride with 
him.” 

If I had a daughter, I should consider him an ex- 
cellent match.” 

^^No daughter of mine should marry such a man,” I 
declared, emphatically. 

I always knew you would make a tyrannical father, 
Adolphus. My poor little daughter, you would find 
your mother your best friend,” and Elizabeth put her 
handkerchief to her eyes. 

My dear,” I said, as the absurdity of the thing 
struck me, do not let us quarrel over such a trifle. 
We may never have a daughter.” 

Here Laurence Wayne raised his voice, and Elizabeth 
flew to him. The dinner bell rang, and, as we started, 
Dora came into the hall, looking pretty as a pink, after a 
pleasant walk. 1 wanted to give her a fond, fatherly 
kiss, but I bethought myself that it was best not to try 
my wife’s patience too far. 

That evening, when Elizabeth was down stairs with 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. JQ^ 

some callers, I took the opportunity to ask Dora a few 
questions concerning Mr. Lockwood. 

‘‘ Why, cousin Adolphus, did you imagine I had lost 
my heart to that silly little goose ! I would not be his 
wife ! ” — and Dora blushed vividly at the mere mention — 
for all the wealth of New York, I was about to say. 
He is so insufferably conceited, he is such a prig, and 
what my father calls a noodle. I would not have gone 
out with him at all, only — cousin Elizabeth is so very 
good to me, and I hate to vex her. Then you know I 
am going home next week, and it is not at all likely he 
would want to marry a farmer’s daughter. He might 
send me a handsome basket of flowers — I wouldn’t 
allow him to give me anything else — and then he might 
fling just the same at the feet of a pretty stage dancer. 
The man who dares to love me must hold me a little 
higher than that.” 

How beautiful and proud she looked, this dainty 
Dora. 

But Van Brickelbach was caught — 

“ Oh, cousin, I felt so sorry — I really did,” and the 
touch of regret made her look lovelier than ever. Yet 
it was so — so absurd,” and she gave that merry, tink- 
ling laugh. ‘^Why, we have not a thought alike, and 
he is so much older, and oh, so queer looking. I used 
to tease him just for fun, and I thought all the time he 
was liking Miss Germain, who, after all, is too sweet 
and pretty for him. And cousin Elizabeth feels hurt 


168 


OUB WEDDING GIFTS, 


about it, but I never imagined — I’m sure I never tried 
to make him like me. I’ve bad such a good, nice, splen- 
did time with the concerts, and parties, and rides, and 
everything, and I’m glad you’re not vexed with me, but I 
can promise you truly that Mr. Lockwood’s money will 
never tempt me in the least.” 

I drew her to my heart and kissed her, the sweet, 
guileless girl, who had her mother’s good sense, with 
much more than her mother’s beauty. 

We were all sorry to have Dora leave us. Even little 
Laurie had been captivated with her, and laughed to 
her the instant she entered the room. She had taught 
him many cunning tricks, and he was beginning to walk, 
and could say . a few words, Tvhen his capricious lordship 
chose, which was not often. 

The wife of my bosom carried herself loftily toward 
me for several days, but as the dressmaker was coming, 
she unbent sufficiently to express her desire for a little 
money, insisting that she positively had not a thing to 
wear. Another shock quite restored her to marital con- 
fidence. Letty Gann, our treasure, announced that she 
had received an excellent offer of marriage from a brother 
in her church ; a widower with four small children, a 
well-to-do man, owning a corner house, and keeping a pros- 
perous grocery. There was no doubt, in her mind, but 
that sailor Gann was dead, at least she was quite willing 
to “ resk it.” She would be married the first of May. 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 169 

And Dora had said, I positively must go on Satur- 
day.” 

Mr. Stryker,” said Harry Van Duyne, that Saturday 
morning, “ can I get off at noon ? I’ll have the books 
•written up, and the pay rolls made out, and I may not 
be back here until Tuesday morning.” 

I looked at the young fellow in surprise, and he ac- 
tually blushed. But his clear, honest eyes braved mine 
in a manly fashion. 

I do not know but I ought to tell you ; you have 
been very kind to me, Mr. Stryker,” and there he stopped, 
strangely embarrassed at so common-place a fact, I 
thought. 

I am much obliged for your good opinion,” I re- 
turned. You may have the time, of course.” 

I mean — that is — I have been a good deal at your 
house this winter, Mr.. Stryker.” 

“ Yes. We have enjoyed your calls.” Was that the 
proper thing to say ? 

‘^And, I do not know whether you have thought ; but 
your cousin. Miss Walton — ” 

I know I opened my eyes wide. A curious impres- 
sion penetrated my brain. 

“ Has been kind enough to allow me to escort her to 
Longport, and I hope, on my return — ” 

Dora ! And you are in love with her ! ” 

“ I am in love with her, and I think she is not quite — 
will not be very obdurate, I mean, if her parents con- 


170 


om WED Dim GIFTS. 


sent. She is so sweet and lovable, how could a man 
help it, and so beautiful, Mr. Stryker. I owe you a debt 
of gratitude for giving me the inestimable pleasure of 
making her acquaintance. I know she might marry 
richer men, but she could not find one who would love 
her more devotedly, or who will endeavor more truly in 
all the years to come to make her happy.” 

I am sure you have my good wishes, Karry,” I said, 
from the bottom of my heart. I think you will find 
Mr. Walton a plain, sensible man, who will study his 
child’s welfare ; and you are a lucky fellow to have won 
the heart of our charming little Dora.” 

Thank you, Mr. Styker,” and he wrung my hand 
warmly. 

So the sly little puss had been making love before our 
very eyes, and we had not seen it. I could hardly doubt 
what the Waltons’ verdict would be. It was kindred 
youth, and hope, and fervor, a community of interests, 
and Harry Van Duyne stood just where I had, at the 
age of twenty-four. As well marry in the spring time 
of life, when the world and love are new, as to wait, for 
a more propitious season cannot come. 

I had said good-bye to Dora that morning, and sent an 
expressman after her trunk. I heard when I came home 
that Elizabeth had been prevented from going to the 
station with her by an unexpected call, so she had sent 
Miss Muldoon for company. There was a loud lament- 
ing for several days, but I thought it best to keep Dora’s 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 171 

secret for a while, though I wanted to give the little 
witch a squeeze for her cunning innocence. 

And now,” said Elizabeth, one evening in the re- 
tirement of our chamber, when she was in dressing-gown, 
and I in slippers, ‘-and now, I suppose, trouble will 
begin again. I’m sure I do not see why Mrs. Cann 
should want to marry, and bother with four children, 
when she could be care free, with twelve dollars a month, 
and the interest of her own money. Wherever we are 
to find a new girl fit for anything I do not know.” 

I drew a long breath. Ever since that terrible night 
of my illness, I had felt it an imperative duty to discuss 
the problem of household economy with the partner of 
my joys and sorrows, and my yearly income. Some way • 
this awful incubus of debt must be removed. 

My dear,” I began in my most mellifluous tone, I 
have a subject I wish to present to your attention. 
Perhaps it would be well to consider it now, while we 
are making some new arrangements.” 

My wife turned her eyes full upon me with a peculiar 
expression, something as if she questioned whether I 
were in my right mind. I have observed that a woman 
invariably doubts a man’s mental steadiness when he 
touches the topic of expenditures. 

Well, Adolphus ! ” 

The sensation of a bucket of cold water being poured 
down my back was not encouraging. I summoned my 
rapidly depressed forces for a vigorous attack. Sheridan’s 


172 


OUB WED Dim GIFTS. 


ride should be my plan rather than a summer in the 
trenches with McClellan. 

^^My dear,” I began. feel that I must call your 
attention to a subject that has caused me sleepless nights 
and troubled days. When I was so ill in March, you 
remember — ” 

Do you call that little cold being ill ! ” and my wife 
laughed with a malicious gaiety, that, to say the least, 
disconcerted me. But I believe if a man has a finger 
ache he always imagines he is going to die. I think 
your general health is wonderful, Adolphus. And as to 
nerves, you haven’t any. How many nights I have had 
to wake you, by main force, as one might say, to listen 
. to baby’s breathings, when I hardly dared lose myself an 
instant for fear of croup.” 

“ Yet he never has had croup,” I returned tri- 
umphantly. 

He never has had — a great many diseases, Adolphus. 
I have been very careful, very,” and there was a touch 
of strictly conscientious approval in her tone. 

I was wandering from my subject, or being carried 
from it, and with a determined effort I brought myself 
back. 

Although my illness seemed a small thing to you, 
Elizabeth,” I began in a most impressive tone, still, in 
the solemn depths of that night, I had a grave subject 
to consider. I — ” 

^^Oh, good gracious, Adolphus ! ” and my wife threw 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


173 


up both hands. How you do manage to harrow up 
one’s feelings, without the slightest regard for my nerves ! 
I know what it was — you thought about making your 
will. I must say that is one of the things that ought 
not be left until one is on a sick bed. You know that 
wills are so frequently contested — ” 

Was a beneficent providence smiling upon me ? I am 
ashamed to admit that I hastened to take advantage of 
my wife’s mood. 

It was a still more painful fact, my dear. I had 
nothing to will ; not only that, but we are in debt. I feel 
that it is my duty as a husband and a father to explain 
this, that together we may be able to take some steps — ” 
a Jf'ere you in debt when you married me, Mr. 
Stryker ? ” she asked in a severe, judicial tone. 

I was not. I had, as I told you, no debts, and an 
income of five thousand dollars. This would no doubt 
have increased in good times, but there has been so great 
a shrinkage in values, and so small an amount of busi- 
ness done, that we consider ourselves fortunate to have 
held our own.” 

But where did the debts come from ? ” she asked in 
amazement. ‘‘ Adolphus, are you sure you do not drink 
or gamble — ” 

“ I drink ! I gamble ! Madam, you should know 
better ! ” I cried in an offended tone. 

‘‘ I am sure you need not bite my head off ! ” Let us 
hope it was a figure of speech merely with her. When 


174 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


I ask a simple question I have a right to be answered. 
As the mother of your son I am entitled to some respect, 
even if you have ceased to regard the wife of — of — ” and 
her voice began to tremble ominously. 

“ My dear,” I said, soothingly, I am ready to an- 
swer every question. These debts were incurred when 
we began housekeeping. Through the munificence of 
your friends you became the happy recipient of number- 
less gifts. We were compelled to furnish our house to 
correspond, we had to live according to the style of 
those wedding gifts — ” 

‘‘And they were beautiful!” sobbed Elizabeth. 
“ I am sure I thought it a nice thing to have them, 
and so would any reasonable man. And it did save us 
a good deal when we went to housekeeping. If you had 
been compelled to buy our silver and glassware, and 
china — ” 

“ I think I have bought the most of it. There is 
very little of the original remaining,” I answered, grimly. 

“ I am sure I couldn’t help thieves, Adolphus, and 
that deceitful Joanna, with the face of a saint. And 
servants will break things, and they wear out and get 
old-fashioned, and — and — you are very cruel, Adolphus, 
to torture my nerves in this way, when the well being 
of our child depends upon my tranquillity. But men 
are so unreasonable — ” and she gave a long, hysterical 
sob. “ What shall I do.^^ Will you sell everything 
off at auction, and shall I go out washing — ” 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


175 


Do calm yourself, and be sensible,” I said, rather 
shortly, for I was losing my temper. I merely want 
to reduce expenses a little, live on four thousand instead 
of five, and use the surplus until the debt is cleared off. 
If I should die — ” 

Elizabeth gave a heart-rending cry, and dropped over 
on the sofa. I knew then what had happened. The 
wise purpose of woman’s nerves may be hereafter re- 
vealed, but in this era of the world they are shrouded 
by a dim and inscrutable providence. Are they for 
purposes of self-defence, like a cat’s claws, sheathed 
when all goes fair, but, at the moment of danger, brist- 
ling all over ? Would a woman, when a note was 
going to protest, rush to the bank, upbraid the ofiicial, 
and have a hysteric, I wonder ? This point ought to be 
settled on a firm and uncompromising basis before the 
equality of the sexes is determined. 

I bathed her face, I chafed her hands, I even de- 
scended from my majestic perch, as judge and dictator, 
and ventured upon an endearing term or two, but Eliza- 
beth grew more rigid, more deathly pale, and a long, 
convulsive breath, at infrequent intervals, was the only 
sign of life. The baby woke and cried, and I rang for 
Kose. 

, Mrs. Stryker has fainted,” I said. “ She is some- 
what subject to delicate spells, when a little thing up- 
sets her. I wonder if we had better have the doctor ? ” 
He left some drops for her. I’ll give her those,” said 


176 


OVR WED mm GIFTS. 


the kindly handmaiden. Will you please take master 
Laurie, and I will see what I can do.” 

I will go down to the library,” I said, heartlessly. 

If you want me, call.” 

Laurie was soon laughing and crowing, and trying to 
master the paper weight. I fell into a very brown 
study. Was I developing into a domestic tyrant, an 
arbitrary, soulless master, a mean, sordid skinflint.? 
For I felt that now this debt must be paid. We had 
commenced the fifth year of our married life, and I was 
'making no advance. Under the auspices of a raw Irish 
girl in the kitchen, household economy would be too 
profound a subject to be mastered. If we boarded, 
for instance, and I made a running calculation at thirty 
dollars a week, five more for washing, three for one girl, 
about two thousand a year, another thousand for clothes 
and extras — why, it would be cheaper. We must store 
the furniture, and then — to be sure, I had the house on 
my hands, but it would pay me to rent it at some loss. 

Miss Muldoon broke in upon my buoyant arithmetic. 
Still, I did feel better. I had no secret from Elizabeth 
now, and it would be to her interest to help me get out 
of debt as soon as possible. But, now that I thought 
of it, my wife was singularly free from any mercenary or 
calculating spirit. There were women who were con- 
tinually nagging at men to make some provision for 
their widowhood, as if indeed, it were a foregone con- 
clusion, There must be piles of insurance policies, 


OVR WED Dim GIFTS. 


177 


houses and lots settled on them, and money in the hank 
in their own name. I believe I would rather have my 
sanguine, unpractical Elizabeth 

Kose took the baby up stairs ; it was his bed time. 
I was left alone with my plans and calculations. Nine 
o’clock struck. My paper was up stairs, and I thought 
I would not disturb my wife. I lighted a cigar and 
opened the window, smoked and ruminated. It was 
very mortifying not to be able to pay that small sum, in 
a space of four years and over. Now that I was aroused 
I certainly loould do something at it. Moreover, I 
would teach my son to have a horror of debt and — wed- 
ding presents. 

Ten o’clock. I was growing sleepy, so I bolted the 
doors and windows, and went quietly up stairs. The 
light was burning low in the ground globe, and there 
was a smell of aromatic hartshorn and the faint per- 
fume of Florida water. Elizabeth lay silent and quiet, 
and I did not disturb her, but, I must confess, a rather 
culprit-like misgiving came over me. 

The next day Mrs: Striker was not down stairs at all. 
I took my dinner in solitary state, and had a rather con- 
fidential chat with Letty Cann, deeming it my duty to 
warn her against the perils of matrimony, and also sug- 
gesting an unpleasant denouement if sailor Cann should 
happen to put in an appearance some day, but she was 
made of brave material, and not easily daunted. And 
I could not help admitting to myself that the grocer 


178 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


would get a tidy, smart, economical helpmeet. My loss, 
no doubt, would be liis gain. 

Mrs. Stryker was in a frilled white wrapper, lying on 
the sofa. She greeted me in a kindly, but languid voice, 
and there was a slight expression of wordless upbraiding 
in her eyes. Our conversation was chiefly about the 
baby, that safety valve between parents. 

Several days passed in this manner. Elizabeth kept 
about the same, and I began to feel rather anxious. 
She was so patient and deferential that I wondered if I 
had not been too harsh and peremptory. 

However, she opened the subject herself. 

Adolphus,” she began one evening, Letty is to go 
away next week. Have you thought of anything, made 
any plans ? ” 

Here was the golden moment which I must seize. 
How could I best begin ? 

My dear Adolphus,” she went on, as I sat speechless, 
quite overwhelmed by her kindness, we were talking 
the other evening, you remember, on a subject which — 
which quite unnerved me. I do not suppose I am quite 
as strong as I used to be, after devoting myself so ex- 
clusively to baby in his first critical year, too ; and then 
I never pretended to have any head for business. Still, 
I do regret that you should be — should be weighted 
down by debt,” and she seemed to pick her way with 
delicate care — was it consideration for my feelings ? 

and I was thinking that if you preferred to send Laurie 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


179 


and me to some simple, out of the way country place 
where board was cheap, and if — I really don’t know what 
to suggest,” and she sighed. 

I have been studying the subject,” I made answer. 
“ I do believe it would be cheaper to board.” 

‘‘To give up our house — she gasped. “Do you 
mean to sell the furniture ? ” 

I wondered if I could so explain the fact of its being 
mortgaged as to adapt it to the delicate understanding 
of the feminine mind, and not run the risk of another 
attack of nerves. Now that Elizabeth was in such a 
conciliatory frame of mind it would be sad indeed to ruffle 
her. 

“We might store it, you know, for a year or two.” 

“ Yes,” plaintively. “ But it is generally so ruined by 
moths and dust, that — yes, I do think we had better sell 
it if we contemplate boarding for a year or two.” 

Sell it in these dull times when auction rooms were 
overcrowded ! Still, as Elizabeth never went to auctions, 
how could she understand the state of affairs. 

“ If we could do something on a simpler scale. If we 
could dispense with one girl — ” 

“ I don’t know how we could,” said my wife, still with 
angelic sweetness. “ For certainly, Adolphus, a wife and 
a mother needs to keep herself in a higher and more 
intellectual atmosphere than a kitchen, moiling and toil- 
ing over scouring pans and dish-washing. There may be 
souls who delight in such occupations, but to me it 


180 


OUB WEDDING GIFTS. 


would be excessively distasteful. And now that Laurie 
is coming to a certain stage of intelligence, who so well 
as a mother can watch over the unfolding mind and 
provide it proper aliment. If I washed and ironed, baked 
and brewed, what time should I have for aesthetic duties 
and pleasures, for reading, art culture and society. I did 
not think when I married you, Adolphus, that you 
desired a mere household drudge, but a companion,” and 
her eyes rested reproachfully on me. 

So I did, my dear,” I made haste to answer, in a 
rather conscience-smitten manner. 

If you consider it best I will give up my home with- 
out a murmur, though I think I have made it very 
attractive. Van Bricklebach was saying one day in the 
winter that he did not know of a place he enjoyed so 
much as this, and as a general thing my taste is con- 
sidered very correct.” 

I wondered how much of the charm was due to the 
youth and gladsome brightness of little Dora. 

‘^I suppose you have your plans all laid, and I will 
not disarrange them by any opposition. I only ask that 
I may take Rose with me. Do not deprive me of every- 
thing — ” and she wiped away a tear quietly. 

“ My dear, I have not decided. I would not take such 
an important step without consulting you. But I feel 
that if anything should happen to me — ” 

“ Don’t, Adolphus, don’t,” and my wife stretched out 
her hand imploringly. ‘^I know you will outlive me. 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


181 


but I want to leave a pleasant memory behind in my 
child’s heart, and this I certainly could not do if I was 
busy from morning to night, and compelled to be severe 
and impatient with him, as mothers are, whose nerves 
are worn and hardened by toil. No, a more glorious 
duty is laid upon me. I must be his friend, his instruc- 
tor, his companion. And, Adolphus, I may be the mother 
of girls — how could I train them with no knowledge, no 
leisure, no cultivation. Education and refinement is 
considered so much more necessary than in the bygone 
years.” 

How did Kitty Bromley manage ? Her little girls 
were charmingly trained, and she was not rendered coarse 
or fretful. 

“We might board a year — ” and I considered. 

“ True. Some pretty country place in the summer, 
and — I should like to be in the city in the winter. One 
loses so much that is really valuable by being buried 
alive in a suburb in the winter. And then the travel- 
ling for you — through rain and snow—” and she glanced 
at me with solicitude. “ There would be the expense of 
packing and storing, the two removals, the board bills, 
the extras one cannot help, but I am sure I would try, 
rather than that you should be driven almost insane by 
debt. You remember that you moved here from motives 
of economy, and I don’t believe we saved so very much 
after all.” 


182 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS, 


Perhaps it was not in human nature to forget that 
episode. 

Well, I will see what can be done. Certainly I must 
get out of debt. It is really disgraceful.” 

Elizabeth sighed and leaned back on her pillow. 


CHAPTER XII. 

I CONSULTED a house agent, who thought, it being so 
late in the season, that I would have to offer the house 
for twelve hundred to make it at all attractive. Then 
he suggested renting it furnished. Of course. Why 
had I not thought of that ? The fall would be a better 
time, but I might be able to do something. I would try. 
I put an advertisement in the paper. I answered several. 
Two hundred and fifty dollars a month would be the 
lowest figure, but we asked three hundred. Then we 
set about looking up a boarding place. I had half a 
mind to apply to Ned, but Elizabeth heard of something 
up the Hudson, a regular farm house, where people 
would be taken for seven dollars a week apiece, ‘^and 
I am sure that’s cheap enough,” she exclaimed, trium- 
phantly. Mrs. Sperry is going up to engage rooms, 
and wants me to go with her, next Tuesday.” 

As fate would have it, some one came to look at the 
house on Saturday. A gentleman from the West, 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


183 


whose business would be in New York most of the 
coming year, and whose wife was very anxious to live in 
the city. There were two grown daughters and three 
younger children. No demur was made as to price. 
The agent thought it a wonderful streak of luck. I 
should make a thousand dollars for the use of the furni- 
ture, and, perhaps, save another thousand in living. 
Why, I felt already as if I were out of debt. 

Elizabeth liked Mount Nebo. It was on a rise of 
ground, and you could look over at the blue Hudson, 
Why they gave it such a Biblical name puzzled me. 
We were to have a large front room, and Kose a small 
one adjoining, opening on the hall. We were to be 
taken for twenty-four dollars, washing extra. 

The house is not furnished in very elegant style,’’ 
explained Elizabeth, glancing around, but there is a 
large lawn, with shade trees, and a beautiful grove, fresh 
milk, and an abundance of fruit. And if Mrs. Sperry can 
go there I think I may content myself for the summer,” 
and my wife sighed. 

We packed up some of our choice belongings, and 
stored them in one room, which we locked. Then our 
trunks were put in travelling order, and, really, it seemed 
like a second removal. 

Are all those trunks and boxes to go to Mount 
Nebo ? ” I asked, aghast. 

To be sure,” answered Elizabeth, serenely. I am 
to take my linen bedding. I could not endure cotton 


184 


ovn V/ ED Dim GIFTS, 


sheets for the summer^ and I want my own towels and 
our clothes, and baby’s things, and Eose’s trunk, and 
baby’s bath, and carriage, and crib — ” 

“Yes, yes ! ” and out I went to engage a carman. 

The Whittleseys came in the third week in May, and 
we went out. I saw our baggage safely bestowed upon 
the boat, found my wife and'my wife’s handmaiden, who 
had my son in her arms. It was a pleasant sail, and the 
boat reached there at five. A very dilapidated and 
musty-smelling hack conveyed us to our destination, 
though I really thought the stage more inviting looking. 
We rumbled and jumbled over the dusty road, and up 
the hill, turned into a lane, and there we were. Mrs. 
Sperry came out to meet my wife with open arms. A 
farm wagon, further back, was bringing up the furniture 
and trunks. 

The grounds, and the great, roomy porch, did very 
well, but I was rather appalled at the plainness of the 
apartments. No shutters, and yellow holland shades to 
the windows, a dingy ingrain carpet on the floor, a cot- 
tage suite, with fiery ornamentations, in red and blue, 
six rush-bottomed chairs, and one Boston rocker. I 
glanced at Elizabeth in the utmost surprise. How 
could she be content I 

“ You do not like it, Adolphus, I see, but you wanted 
to economize, and I’m sure I’ve done my best. We 
could have gone down to Seabright for ten dollars 
apiece, and there was a lovely place at Eoselawn, where 


OUR WEDDim GIFTS. 


185 


tliey would have taken us all for forty dollars, but you 
did not want to pay that, and Mrs. Sperry is very stylish. 
They spend ever so much more money than we do, and 
she has her carriage and horses up here.” 

My dear, I am not going to find fault if you are 
satisfied,” I returned, pleasantly. 

My wife gave a long sigh. 

We were summoned down to supper. The viands 
did very well, but there was a kind of scurrying in 
serving. The mistress poured tea with a cream jug in 
the other hand, and slopped in the suger with a much- 
worn plated spoon, as if she were working against time. 
The dishes reminded me of a second rate restaurant. 
The bread was of the solid, rather damp order, and the 
butter, though sweet, had a taste of wild onions, but 
cake and preserves were in prodigal abundance. Glanc- 
ing down the table, I discovered two familiar faces, be- 
side that of Mrs. Sperry, young men of artistic pro- 
clivities, who had visited at our house the past winter. 
One of them seemed to be under the especial patronage 
of Mrs. Sperry. 

I bought a commutation ticket the next morning, 
good for a month. When I came home at night I found 
Elizabeth in high spirits. Mrs. Sperry and Mr. Hatch 
had been to ride, and Mr. Colby had taken my wife. I 
am not a jealous man by nature, and society manners — 
I should say the culture, refinement, and amenities of 
society — do not admit of such vulgar passions on the 


186 


OTIR WED Dim GIFTS. 


part of husbands. I was pleased to have my wife enjoy 
herself and keep good tempered, and as art topics were 
her great delight, she had found congenial minds. 

Still I could not help contrasting this place with the 
home of the Waltons. This was boarding, pure and 
simple ; you paid a certain amount, and then tried to 
get all you could out of your landlady. From Mrs. 
Brown’s imperturbable face I judged that complaints 
would have about the same eifect as pouring water on a 
duck’s back. I had none to make. True, I missed my 
cool, high-ceiled sleeping room and my modern con- 
veniences, but I reflected that it was much cheaper, and 
that I would save by the operation. We always had a 
bountiful supply of berries and fresh milk, and presently 
Mrs. Brown began to save some tidbit for me, because I 
was not home to dinner. 

At the first of J uly I made up accounts. My income 
from all sources had been seven hundred ; my expenses 
had averaged two hundred. Wild with delight, I paid 
five hundred dollars on my mortgaged furniture. There 
were but two hundred remaining. I could have danced 
up and down for joy, but I thought of my age and my 
position as the father of a family. 

But alas ! matters did not remain as serene at Mount 
Nebo. My opinion, from all I heard and saw, inclined 
me to believe Mrs. Sperry that reprehensible creature, a 
married fiirt. While she was willing to spare one of her 
adorers for Elizabeth, she was a darling creature, but 


OUR WEDDma GIFTS. 


187 


wlien she insisted upon monopolizing all ; when she 
carried them off to shady groves, made them both give 
her lessons in sketching, her selfishness and numerous 
faults became plainly visible. And then she had the 
unkindness to say that it looked so silly in a woman 
of Mrs. Stryker’s age, a mother too, to act like a young 
flirt of sixteen.” Mrs. Sperry owned to twenty-eight, 
but from her looks I judged she had remained at that 
period for some time. Elizabeth never owned to any- 
thing. Her age, like that of the sphynx, was a profound 
mystery. 

The place became very hot, in spite of the awnings I 
had made for every window. Then the baby fell sick, 
and my wdfe was sure the place did not agree with him. 
Once admitting the serpent of discontent, our Paradise 
became Purgatory rapidly, and by the middle of July 
Elizabeth upbraided me with a wife’s tender affection, 
and insisted that I had brought her to Mount Nebo to 
die. She had come for my sake purely, but there was 
a limit to all things. Perhaps when Laurie and she 
were in the grave — 

Where would you like to go, my dear ? ” I inquired 
mildly, for 1 felt that a change was impending. 

I have been considering the subject, Adolphus,” 
said she in a weak voice. ^‘We must have a bracing 
air. Mrs. Lewis and Dolly are at the loveliest place at 
the White Mountains, and the nights are so delightfully 


188 


OJJR WEDDING GIFTS. 


cool. We can have elegant board for ten dollars a week, 
servants seven. If you could get off—” 

“ I might take you there and spend a week,” I re- 
turned, “ and you could remain until the hot weather 
was over.” 

Elizabeth thought this delightful. She wrote to her 
friend immediately, and I was deputed to give up the 
rooms and settle with Mrs. Brown. But I found that 
easy-going woman exceedingly obdurate. I had taken 
the rooms for the summer, and pay for them I must, 
since she had lost other chances to let them. 

I mildly expostulated with her, offering to pay full 
hoard until the first of August, but I found I had caught 
a Tartar. Her pound of flesh she would have, whether 
or not. I fell hack upon the fact that my wife and child 
were ill, and must have change of air, at which she gave 
p. cold-blooded, doubtful sneer that roused my temper. 

Yery well,” I said, ‘^if I have to pay for the place I 
shall put some one else in it. I think the wife of our 
porter and her two children would be very glad to 
come.” 

Elizabeth packed again, or rather I think it was Bose. 
Part of the things were sent to the city and stored in 
the back office. The rest were checked for their new 
destination. I took my household under my wing, fig- 
uratively speaking, and we set out on our new journey. 
Mrs. Sperry and my wife bade each other a cool adieu, 
and Mrs- Brown informed me she would settle on my 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


189 


own basis, board to be paid until the first of August, 
which would give her ten days to re-let the rooms, 
although we heard afterward that two days later new 
tenants came in. 

We found Mrs. Lewis admirably domiciled in a pleas- 
ant family hotel. I enjoyed the week of idleness, and 
Elizabeth was quite as enthusiastic as she had been 
over our unfortunate Mount Nebo. A week later she 
was joined by Mr. and Mrs. Walton and Dora, andi 
Harry Yan Duyne spent his two weeks’ vacation with 
them. My wife announced the engagement with great 
surprise, and found but one thing to approve. He 
comes of a good old family, as one can tell by his name, 
and, if she must marry a clerk, the Wan’ is some- 
thing.” 

I decided to spend the intervening weeks with Hed 
Bromley, coming into the city every morning as he did. 
I must confess that 1 quite returned to my old dreams. 
I used to sit on the porch, while Hed and Kitty rambled 
round, tying up a rose, snipping off a dead branch, pull- 
ing a stray weed, planning how they would arrange 
everything next year. There never were such cucum- 
bers, or beans, or corn, and every room was sweet with 
heliotrope and mignonette. I fell into a dreamy, pas- 
toral mood. I listened to Kitty as she read bits of 
Morris’ Paradise aloud, and remembered my youthful 
fancies wherein brown eyes played a part. 

My tenant had not come up to the mark the first of 


190 


oun WEDLim GIFTS. 


August, and iny own expenses had proved rather heavy, 
so I had no money that I could spare. However, I did 
not allow that to trouble my heavenly slumbers, nor my 
Eden-like waking hours. In fact, nothing disturbed me 
until Elizabeth mentioned that it was growing very cool, 
and she had promised the Waltons a visit. Would it 
not be as well for her to come into the city for a few days, 
do a little shopping, and then go to Longport ? All of 
which admirable arrangements I acquiesced in, and en- 
gaged rooms at a hotel for them. My little son was 
round and rosy, could say everything after a certain 
fashion, and Elizabeth was much improved. She 
shopped, she came down to the office, unpacked and 
packed again, exchanged summer clothing for autumn 
wear, and wondered what we were to do during the 
winter. 

If we could board at a hotel ! There is so much gos- 
sip and so many ill-natured remarks in private boarding 
houses,'’ said she. That place at Mount Hebo was 
dreadful ! I never imagined Mrs. Sperry was so deceitful 
and underhand, and vain, and silly ! The admiration of 
those two boys was all she cared for. And her pretend- 
ing to be only twenty-eight ! Why, she has been mar- 
ried twenty years, I do believe ! ” 

I went down to Longport with my family, and when 
I returned dropped in at my agent’s. He looked at me 
with a very blank face. 

W.e have been swindled ! Mr. Stryker,” he began 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


191 


empliatically. Those Whittleseys are what you might 
call genteel tramps. Their reference was a sham, like 
themselves. And they decamped without a word.” 

Left the house — ” 

Yes. He made some excuse when July’s rent came 
due — was expecting some money, and all that, hut, if I 
liked, would give me a note for thirty days. I decided 
to wait a week or two, and, meanwhile, made some 
further inquiries about him, and found that his numer- 
ous agencies were not very reliable. Then I wrote to a 
friend in St. Louis to hunt up his antecedents, and found 
that he failed last winter, was ever so much in debt, and 
considered a regular confidence man, an out-and-out 
swindler. I went up to the house one evening and 
found it locked up, with not even a servant at home. 
Next morning I dropped into his office, and learned that 
the bird had flown, though he had the grace to leave the 
keys. He went away largely in debt to butcher and 
grocer, and owing sums of borrowed money, some of 
which he obtained of your friends, Mr. Stryker, by false 
representations.” 

My heart fell within me like lead. The two months’ 
rent, that I had so counted on, that was to exalt me 
another round in the ladder of debt paying, had sud- 
denly become a blank. I did not see how I could blame 
the agent, as he had written to both of the persons 
given as reference, and received favorable replies. Then, 
the man and his wife had a certain air of well-to-do 


192 


OUR WEDDim GIFTS, 


people that had deceived me, and not me alone, it 
seemed. 

He ought to he arrested ! ” I exclaimed, indignantly, 
if such things did not always cost more than they 
amount to ! 

“ I went through the house, and I believe about every- 
thing is safe.” 

Lucky for me that they did not carry off my furni- 
ture. However, I think I will take the keys, and go up 
myself, this evening,” I said. 

I found kitchen, cellar and closets in the utmost dis- 
order, to say nothing of untidiness. The dining-room 
carpet had two great blotches of grease, the globes in 
the chandelier were broken, and the chairs evinced marks 
of hard usage. On the parlor floor matters were in a 
better condition, though I found one large pane of glass 
cracked, and one of Elizabeth’s choice vases in ruins, 
while the beautiful china cuspidor, that she had had 
ornamented according to Yan Bricklebach’s design, had 
an ugly notch broken out of the rim. The rooms above 
made me sick at heart ; the bath-room was in a most 
fearful condition, both faucets leaking a stream. How 
any one could do so much damage in less than three 
months puzzled me, until I remembered how some of 
our handmaidens had wrought ruin and devastation. 

My flrst impulse was to sit down and write a full and 
bitter account to Elizabeth, so natural is it for a man to 
confide in the faithful heart of his wife. Then I re- 


OUR ^yEDDIm GIFTS. 


193 


fleeted. The tenant was none of her getting. The plan 
had not originated, in her fertile brain. Perhaps it would 
be as well merely to mention that the tenant had gone 
and we would enter our own house again, then send for 
some capable woman and have it thoroughly cleaned. 

I set about this latter the next morning. Bridget 
O’Neale and her son Tim came. Carpets were taken up 
and beaten, paint and windows cleaned, bedding washed, 
and the range and bath being out of order, the plumbers 
paid us a visit. 

Right in the midst of this Ned came rushing up to 
the house and glanced around dismayed. A few words 
explained the situation. 

It is an atrocious piece of work ! ” said Ned, indig- 
nantly. And they paid only one month’s rent ! If 
that is n’t about as cheeky a thing as I ever heard of ! 
Why, old fellow, you’ll be out on this speculation, and I 
am real sorry. However, I came about some other busi- 
ness. I had a note from uncle Nickey yesterday, in 
which he complained of having some rather queer symp- 
toms, so I ran up last night and found he had been taken 
with paralysis, a very light stroke at first, but a second 
and severe one some ten hours later. He is just alive 
now, merely breathes, and lies like a log. The shock 
prostrated aunt Jane, and the doctor thinks her condi- 
tion critical. I telegraphed to Kitty, and staid all 
night, and now I am going up for her. There is an ex- 
cellent housekeeper, and the neighbors are very kind, but 


194 


OTJR WED Dim GIFTS, 


1 know Kitty would be willing to leave everything and 
come. Poor old people ! And yet, they have had a 
happy life together, and both have exceeded the three 
score and ten years,^^ 

I will meet you on the train and go up — that is, if I 
shall not be in the way,” I remarked. 

“ Oh, no. Aunt Jane asked if you were in town. We 
shall try to get the four-twenty train. Sim will be there 
with the wagon. Good-bye till then, for I have my 
hands full.” 

I went up with them. Poor uncle Nick was still alive, 
but breathed his last at midnight. The physician 
thought the sad tidings had better be kept from aunt 
Jane. I wrote to the Waltons, and to Elizabeth, men- 
tioning that the house would be ready by Saturday if 
she chose to come up, and received a teleg'-am that she 
would. 

I paid Bridget and Tim on Saturday noon, and set- 
tled the plumber’s bill. The real profit I had made on 
my tenant had been a trifle over one hundred dollars. 
These two bills and the numerous replacements cost me 
forty-seven ; but the grease had been extracted from the 
carpet, and the house had a snug, t’dy look. It would 
be the better part of wisdom not to inform Elizabeth 
of these little contretemps. I own I looked at the ex- 
periment rather ruefully, and began to have some mis- 
givings on the point of my ability to economize. I had 
paid the five hundred so triumphantly on my mortgage, 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS, 


195 


trusting the first of August to be materially assisted in 
paying my quarter’s rent, and behold ! it was minus in- 
stead of plus. Pleading extra expenses, I had antici- 
pated my income, and would he no more than straight 
by next quarter day. Where then would five hundred 
dollars come from to pay my own rent ? Must I have 
recourse to borrowing again ? 

Elizabeth felt somewhat disappointed at first at the 
turn afiairs had taken, for she had been counting on a 
pleasant winter at a hotel. We discussed the Whittle- 
sey defection on Saturday night, and on Sunday she be- 
gan the day with discoveries. Dishes were broken and 
missing, sheets and table linen had disappeared — we 
had only left our second best. Our pretty Swiss clock 
was a ruin, and several other things that had escaped 
my notice. What she would have said if she had seen 
the house a week earlier I could dimly guess, and I 
felicitated myself on my extraordinary foresight and pru- 
dence. 

On Monday uncle Nicholas Berrian was buried in an 
old-fashioned graveyard with his ancestors. Aunt Jane 
was so poorly that they thought it best to delay explana- 
tions still a little longer. Elizabeth was kindly sympa- 
thetic. It eased up matters a little, I thought, as it 
made a break in her rigid household inspection. 

I do not believe you made a penny by that foolish 
experiment, Adolphus,” she said, a week or two later. 

What do men understand about economy ? They 


196 


OUR WED mm GIFTS. 


save at one end and spend at the other. It is fortunate 
nothing worse happened, though. I wouldn’t have 
taken a good deal for that vase, and the cuspidor, and I 
know those people carried off two bronzes, and that 
verde-antique urn. . But I hope you are satisfied. I 
went to that miserable Mount Neho to please you, slept 
on a bed like a rock, and suffered all manner of de- 
privations, just to enable you to pay a few paltry debts. 
I hope they are paid, and I shall hear no more about 
them.” 

They are not paid,” I answered, rather crestfallen. 

Then I warn you,” and Elizabeth held out her hand 
with an imposing gesture, she had raised her head to its 
proudest height — then I warn you, Adolphus, that 
you must pay them yourself. I will not be dragged 
around from post to pillar, from one cheap boarding- 
house to another, the wife of a man doing a good busi- 
ness, the mother of an infant child ; I will not scrimp, 
and pinch, and go without everything. Why, I might 
as well have married a — a — a day laborer, or some 
wretched poetical youth without a penny. I have been 
grossly deceived in you, Adolphus, and what is to be the 
end of my miserable life I know not. Any woman of 
spirit would sue for a divorce, yes, she would,” and here 
my wife broke down in a hysterical sob. 

I soothed and comforted. I even offered her the new 
navy blue silk dress she desired, though how it was to 
be paid for I scarcely knew. And Elizabeth kissed mo 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 197 

in token of forgiveness, when I promised I would annoy 
her no more with mention of these unlucky debts. 

We had a new domestic in the kitchen, a pretty, 
cheerful young Irish girl, who was a tolerable cook. I 
took Miss Muldoon into counsel, and informed her that I 
desired to be as economical as possible this winter, and 
that she should not he the loser by keeping a strict over- 
sight on the kitchen department. 

But how was I to get out of debt ? I had made only 
one hundred dollars real advance the past six months. 
Two hundred a year would take me eight years to become 
a free man. Could I live under this continuous bur- 
then ? No ! I would not. Next year I would arise in 
all the dignity and majesty of head of the family, and 
retire to a French flat at one thousand per year, keep 
but one servant, and, if Elizabeth considered it fit 
grounds for divorce — it would be terrible indeed, and a 
shiver ran through my vitals. 

“Here is 'a note, just brought by a messenger,” said 
Elizabeth, breaking in upon my bitter reflections. 

I opened it slowly. A brief note from my uncle’s 
lawyer. Aunt Jane had died at noon, and would be 
buried on Thursday. The will would be read after the 
funeral, and, as I was interested, would I surely be 
present, and could I favor him with the address of Mrs. 
Walton, as he wished to notify her. 

I read in silence. Like a picture the old country one 
and a half story cottage rose before me. The best room, 


198 


ojm WED Dm a gifts. 


with a quaint old ingrain carpet, an antique carved 
bureau, a horsehair sofa, studded with brass-headed 
nails, and some rush-bottomed chairs, brass candlesticks 
and andirons, just as they had been when I was a little 
boy. The off-room, as they called it, like the parlor, 
with rag carpet and high-post bedstead, a sort of spare 
chamber, a kitchen, with painted floor and braided rag 
rugs, a bedroom adjoining, where uncle Nicholas had 
died, and two chambers above. Roomy, comfortable and 
neat, but very plain and simple. The farm had been 
sold off by degrees, so that only a few acres remained. 
It was a wickedly mercenary thought, and I blushed 
over it, still it did come into my mind. There were just 
three heirs. If there could be realized six thousand 
dollars — two thousand dollars apiece — I would ask no 
more of fate. I should be so unutterably happy that 
I should never cease to bless these two kindly old people 
to my latest breath. 

That letter is from a woman, I know, Adolphus,” 
said my wife in a peculiar, deep, half-suppressed tone. 

A woman! Read it yourself. Aunt Jane is dead, 
and it is from uncle’s lawyer, Mr. Kendrick,” and I 
handed it to her. 

But why should you turn so red over it ? ” 

Did I turn red ? ” I asked, innocently. 

^^Poor old people ! So they are both gone, Adolphus. 
If the things are divided I should like to have those 
brass candlesticks and andirons in the parlor (those 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


199 


things are all coming round again) and that delightfully 
quaint old bureau, and a spider-legged, inlaid table, and 
oh ! there must he lots of curiosities in the house. I 
do not suppose they left much money, but some of those 
old articles I should appreciate so highly.” 

will speak about them,” I returned. Surely I 
could not accuse Elizabeth of sordid impulses. 

We went to the funeral. It was at two o’clock on a 
cloudy, raw October day. We returned in a rather 
chilly state of feeling, but there was a cosy fire in the 
wide kitchen, that seemed to diffuse an agreeable warmth 
all through. 

Mr. Kendrick brought out the will. Knowing its 
contents beforehand, and feeling certain that Mrs. Ber- 
rian could not long survive, he had thought it as well to 
defer the reading until now. 

There was the usual legal preamble. Everything was 
to remain in the present condition as long as his dear 
wife, Jane Berrian, lived, rents and income to he at her 
sole use and disposal, and at her death — 

We listened in amazement. Did I hear aright ? 

Three houses in a handsome brick row in Fifty- 
fourth street, one to my dear nephew, Edward Bromley, 
one to my dear nephew, Adolphus Stryker, one to my 
niece, Emmeline Walton. My farm, with the old house 
at Kingsbridge, to be sold to my neighbor, David Wil- 
lis, and the money divided equally between the three 
heirs. The furniture to be divided in like manner.” 


200 


OUB WED Dim GIFTS. 


I seemed to be struck speechless the first moment. A 
house of mj very own ! And oh ! this load of debt 
lifted from my shoulders ! 

Why, how strange ! ” cried Ned. I did not dream 
of such a thing. Did you, Adolphus ? ” 

I shook my head. 

“ Mr. Berrian took a mortgage on the property fully 
thirty years ago,” explained Mr. Kendrick. In time 
he became sole owner. Then it was built upon, and he 
took two of the houses, releasing the property from all 
incumbrance. Afterward he bought the third. They 
are all clear, in good repair, and first-class houses in 
every respect. There is a little money in the bank, suf- 
ficient to pay all expenses and the few legacies. Mr. 
Willis has offered six thousand dollars for this place. 
Are you willing, as heirs, to take that ? Mr. Berrian 
considered it a fair price.” 

We all certified our assent. Never were there more 
surprised or happier heirs. We remained all night, and 
talked over old times, when, as boys, Ned and I had 
spent our school vacations here, fished and crabbed, and 
learned to swim in the Harlem river yonder. I went to 
bed in a seraphic state of mind, though I strove hard to 
conceal my internal transports, and assume a seemly 
gravity. And I must do Elizabeth the justice to say 
that she was not unduly elated, even when Kitty and 
Mrs. Walton agreed that she should have the articles on 
which her heart was irrevocably set. The house ap- 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


201 


peared to her a seeondary consideration. I suppose she 
thought we would always have a house, but antiques two 
or three hundred years old were above price. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

On our return to the city we went to look at our houso 
— houses, I should say, and found that Mr. Kendrick had 
not over praised. They were renting for eighteen hun- 
dred dollars, though they had formerly gone at a much 
higher figure, and were superior in every way to the one 
in which we were living. Elizabeth was very gracious 
and serene, while I could hardly contain myself, but then 
she had not been encompassed with the shadow of debt 
for years. 

The place was sold immediately, and the money paid 
over. I gave Elizabeth a handsome black velvet dress 
and some emeralds, and paid my debts. I was a free 
man ! I owned my furniture, I owned my life policy, 
and henceforward no debt of any kind should be admitted 
or smuggled into my house. I had had enough of it ! 

But wonders had just begun. On Mr. Keep^s return, 
the last of October, we were called into consultation. 
Mr. Trask had resolved to retire from the business. I 
was to take an equal partnership, and we were to admit 


202 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


Harry Van Duyne, in whom Mr. Trask had taken a 
warm interest ; indeed, he was a distant connection. I 
was delighted for little Dora’s sake, and the new agree- 
ment was to go into effect on the first of J anuary. I should 
have a larger income if no misfortunes befell us, but 
much more responsibility in trying times. Still, I did 
not feel inclined to regret any of these unlooked for inci- 
dents. 

I must mention that about this time, a person iil 
Baltimore wrote to inquire about my whilom tenant, Mr. 
Whittlesey. He had been using my name as a passport, 
and claiming an intimate friendship. I hope I am not 
generally vindictive, but I took great delight in settling 
the scoundrel and unmasking his swindling propensities. 

To Elizabeth’s great surprise, her friend Stacy Ger- 
main accepted a rich young Californian, a self-made 
man, guiltless of the slightest artistic proclivities — a 
good, plain, jolly, sensible fellow, who was desperately in 
love, and ready to shower everything in his possession 
upon his betrothed. I thought it a sensible marriage, but 
Elizabeth sighed and quoted Lockesley Hall, and won- 
dered how it came that men were so dull and stupid, 
and could not see ! If Van Bricklebach had only — 

“ My dear,” I replied sagaciously, I can’t imagine 
that half-sentimental, fussy, hyper-critical old thing who 
goes into ecstasies over a broken bit of china, and sees 
no merit in fresh, clean, wholesome articles or virtues, 
being the husband of any woman. Miss Germain has 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS, 


203 


chosen sensibly. And now,” I went on in overwhelm- 
ing good nature, I suppose you will want to make her 
a handsome wedding present. She did not send us any- 
thing, hut no doubt she would have, if she had known 
us at that period.” 

‘‘Well — ^)"es,” said Elizabeth, with a touch of plain- 
tiveness that she now and then affected. 

“ There is a check,” returned I, writing out one for a 
hundred dollars. 

“ Thank you, Adolphus,” my wife replied with un- 
wonted meekness. 

Having come to fair sailing with a reasonable degree 
of prosperity before me, I thought to bid the public adieu 
without any more of those marital interchanges of differ- 
ences of opinion. We had laid our plan to move in the 
spring into our own house. I had resolved to take out 
a new life insurance policy for five thousand dollars, to 
be settled upon Elizabeth. Our son was thriving — a 
very prodigy, we thought, and really, it seemed as if no 
storm could hereafter disturb the even tenor of our way. 
I felt now that I could enjoy life, and when of an even- 
ing I stretched my slippered feet toward the cheerful 
grate fire, I fell into a beatific state of repose, and envied 
no one. 

It was the 12th of November. The day had been dull, 
cold and rainy by turns, and now closed in with a most 
uncomfortable sleet. I entered the house to find it warm 
and cheerful, a heliotrope standing on a bracket in the hall 


204 


OUR WED Dim GIFTS. 


perfuming the air ; Elizabeth, in a pretty attire of silk 
and cashmere and soft laces ; my son in white, with a 
brown sash and brown legs, his lovely golden hair in 
dainty rings — it was not red, as I had at one time 
feared it would be ; the dinner inviting to a hungry man, 
and neatly served. Afterward we went up to the library, 
where I generally frollicked with master Laurie, and rode 
him on my foot until Kose came to take him to bed. 

Then I picked up my paper, and stretched out my 
limbs. It might not have been elegant, but it was com- 
fortable. 

Dolly Norwood was in this morning, Adolphus. It 
was so funny ! ’’ and Elizabeth laughed triumphantly. 

I could not imagine at first what the drift of her ap- 
parently careless questioning might be, but suddenly it 
flashed over me. I kept just as grave as a judge — I sup- 
pose they are grave — and asked little bits of things until 
I found out every particle of the plan. And, what do 
you think, Adolphus ? ” 

My wife’s face was a study, and yet it gave a clue to 
some great pleasure or delight. 

I’m not very good at guessing. May be the Nor- 
woods have had a house left to them.” 

Stupid ! ” and Elizabeth laughed good humoredly. 
‘‘Do you remember what day the I6th will be ?” 

“Why — Tuesday ! ” I answered promptly. 

“Tuesday!” she re-echoed a little vexed. “You 
might at least have — ” 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


205 


“ Why, it is the anniversary of our wedding day,’ 
and I looked up with a smile, thinking that Elizabeth 
appeared younger and handsomer than when I married 
her. 

Yes, and the fifth at that. Why, it seems only 
the other day. I do wonder if you will be rich enough 
to go to Europe next year ? ” 

I made a grimace, remembering the horrid sea-sickness 
and headaches. 

What was I saying — oh, it’s the fifth, and there is 
such a surprise in store. I ought not tell it, but when I 
found it out all myself — and you must carry it off as if 
you had never heard a word. I shall be just splendid ! ” 

But what is it all ? ” I asked, curiously. 

A surprise, Adolphus, dear. A sort of impromptu 
wedding party,” and she glanced up with her most be- 
witching grace. 

‘‘You mean to give a party.?” I went on, bewil- 
dered. 

“ Give one ? No indeed ! We are to receive one. It 
is to be a wooden wedding, because we have been mar- 
ried just five years.” 

“ I have heard of silver weddings, and golden wed- 
dings, but — wooden — ” 

“ Oh, there are a great many pretty wooden articles,” 
said she, in a graciously explanatory manner. “ There 
are brackets, and picture frames, and vases — beautifully 
carved ones — and I would like a new Swiss clock, for 


206 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


those Whittlesey imps ruined ours, and — well, chairs, 
and everything that is made mostly of wood.” 

^^And Mrs. Norwood proposes to get up such a sur- 
prise party for us,” I said, the light breaking slowly in 
upon my brain. 

Yes. I know that is just it. It is so delightful to 
keep these anniversaries, and have something for a 
memory of them.” 

Our friends and neighbors mean to bestow upon us 
sundry and divers gifts in wooden ware — do I under- 
stand you aright, Elizabeth ? ” 

Well, you need not be so legal and solemn about it. 
Dolly made sure that we had no engagement for the 
evening, and then she proposed to come to tea.” 

Elizabeth,” I began, resolutely, ‘‘I have a word lo 
say in this matter. I decline to have a wooden wed- 
ding. I will not be the recipient of any kind of wed- 
ding gifts ever again in my life, unless I lose my senses.” 

Adolphus ! ” she ejaculated, in the utmost amaze- 
ment. 

I am in earnest.” 

Don’t be so silly. What signifies a few gifts, more 
or less ? I am sure you may be glad to get something. 
Our wedding gifts have been stolen, and broken, and 
brought to an end generally.” 

Elizabeth,” said I, impressively, rising, to give my 
speech more force, and have greater freedom of gesture, 
you see before you a man who, for the first time in 


OVR WEDDING GIFTS. 


207 


five years has broken the accursed bondage of debt. I 
do not owe any one a penny. I think, too, we have paid 
back our wedding gifts. Now, I am resolutely de- 
termined not to begin this thing over. Not so much as 
a single clothes-pin shall come into this house under pre- 
tence of a wooden wedding. To that atrocious and swin- 
dling system of gifts I owe many a wretched hour. I 
have borrowed money, I have raised it on security, yes, 
I have even been compelled to mortgage our furniture, 
and it was due to those same wedding presents. They 
led us to commence life wrongly. If they were not 
above our station, they certainly were above my means. 
We had to begin housekeeping on a grander scale. We 
had to hire a large house to take in our bedstead. We 
had to buy an expensive sideboard to display our silver, 
then we had to ask in visitors to look at it. There was 
the safe — 

Are you crazy, Adolphus ? ” 

‘^No, I have come to my senses. I ivas crazy when I 
consented to have a public wedding, with gifts on ex- 
hibition. I am done with that business forever.” 

Don’t make such a fool of yourself,” advised my 
wife, with scathing contempt. “ Because we were once 
a few hundred dollars behindhand, and because we have 
made a few presents in return — ” 

“A few ! ” and I swelled myself to my utmost size. 

Don’t shriek so; I am not deaf! Yes, I say our 
presents loere valuable. It would have cost you much 


208 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


more to have bought even the half of them. You are 
the most ungrateful, unthankful — ” and her voice tremor 
bled with passion. 

Madame, have you the slightest idea of their cost to 
me ? See here,’^ and I turned to my desk ; I have kept 
a memorandum of them. Let me read you a few fig- 
ures : ^For packing and storing twice, for packing to 
move, and for safe to keep them in when they were at 
home, one hundred and eighty-two dollars ; for the suite 
of furniture that I was compelled to pay for myself, five 
hundred and fifty dollars ; for wedding presents in re- 
turn, eighteen hundred dollars,’ Elizabeth, making a total 
of over twenty-five hundred dollars ! We could have 
bought our own silver and china, our own pictures and 
hnick-knacks for that sum. We would not have needed 
a great house to be turned into a museum and cluttered 
up with useless articles. We could have begun life like 
sensible, rational human beings, and not idiotic copies 
of other idiotic creatures, and this is why I will have 
no wooden wedding, no silver wedding — ” 

^‘No silver wedding ! ” and she shrieked hysterically. 

“ No silver wedding ; no more gifts of any kind, save 
those of pure, unadulterated friendship. No one shall 
be taxed to adorn or furnish my house, and I will not be 
taxed for that of another. It is contemptible beggary — 
a regular swindle — to lay every one you know under con- 
tribution.” 

How will you prevent this ? ” asked Elizabeth, ral- 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 209 

lying to the attack once more. I do not know who 
are coming. I have asked no one for gifts.” 

They shall not be admitted if they come laden with 
the treasures of California and Australia ! ” I exclaimed, 
majestically. 

Adolphus, I never knew until now how coarse, and 
unreasonable, and vituperative you could be, and what a 
furious temper you have ! I have some rights,” with a 
magnificent wave of the hand. If I choose to admit 
my friends next Tuesday evening you will not — dare 
not — ” 

I dare anything ! ” I cried, tragically. Their gifts 
of wood shall perish in the range, a holocaust to common 
sense. I, for one, will break this miserable society bond- 
age — this vulgar figment of generosity that expects a 
return of from two to fourfold.” 

L never thbtlght you were so mean and stingy and 
parsimonious ! I didn’t suppose you kept account of, 
and grudged every penny. When your own cousin Dora 
is married — ” 

We can give her a kitten,” I said ; but my wife was 
too angry to laugh. Her eyes were like flame. 

Mind,” I continued, “ I am not condemning all 
presents. Interchanges of kindly affection are right and 
proper, pleasant to take and to give, but this ostenta- 
tious, selfish business, or this dragging gifts out of peo- 
ple who cannot afford it, is over for me. Hereafter we 
will give when it suits us, but to feel that you must be- 


210 


OTIB WEDDING GIFTS. 


stow something upon the children and grandchildren of 
the woman who sent you a silver soup-ladle the day be- 
fore you were married, is ridiculous ! ” 

Elizabeth put her handkerchief to her eyes, and began 
to sob. 

“ My dear,” I said, in a lower tone, I may have been 
a trifle too energetic in my protest — ” 

Will you take it back, Adolphus ? ” 

Never! never! Come what will I stand on this 
rock of sound principle — of undying good sense ! ” 

“ Then, Adolphus,” and she rose with crushing dig- 
nity, I feel that you have insulted me beyond redemp- 
tion ! But for the fact that I am a mother, and that in 
law, a man has the right to his son, I believe I should 
take my child in my arms and breast this pitiless storm. 

I would never eat a meal, nor accept a penny at your 
hands. I would — yes, I would take a menial’s place. 
The charity of the cruel, mocking world would be sweet 
compared to favors from you ! But, though I am bound 
hand and foot, you cannot conquer my will nor my 
spirit ! I know what is due a woman ! ” With that 
she swept loftily from the room, and I was left alone. 
Conscious rectitude upheld me. I had the courage to 
face a possible fit of hysterics, and go for a doctor in this 
driving storm, but in my house there should be no 
wooden wedding. 

There was a profound silence overhead. I read for 
awhile, I paced the floor softly, I smoked several cigars, 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


211 


and at eleven proceeded to retire. The baby was asleep. 
Elizabeth had her face turned to the wall, and I did not 
disturb her. 

I ate my breakfast alone the next morning. I took 
my dinner in solitary dignity. Sunday was passed in a 
state of blockade. Elizabeth was high and calm, and 
apparently resolved. What if she had settled upon 
some plan to circumvent me, to defy my authority ? 
Tears and hysterics I could understand, but this quiet 
puzzled me. 

I considered the subject well on Monday morning, and 
a bright thought entered my mind. 

Rose,” I said, will you get a few clothes and 
necessary articles together by two this afternoon. I am 
going to take you all down to Longport.” And then I 
made a brief explanation. My cogent reasoning brought 
her over to my side. Then I asked Kate if she had any 
friend with whom she could spend a week, and she was 
quite willing to go to a cousin’s. 

Precisely at two I drove up in a hack. I told my 
wife then that we were to go to Longport, and that the 
house was to be shut up. There was a scene, of course. 
Elizabeth fainted. Rose packed, while Katie waited 
upon my wife. The baby was made ready, the trunk 
carried down, the doors and windows securely listened. 
Then, wrapping Elizabeth in a waterproof, I took her in 
my arms. 

At least,” she said, you will allow me to put on a 
bonnet 1 ” 


212 


OUR WED mm GIFTS. 


Rose brought it. 

With a firm and un trembling step Elizabeth walked 
down stairs. I assisted her into the carriage. Katie stood 
by with a parcel in her hand and a grin on her face. I 
went back and shut the night latch, and then we were 
off. No wooden wedding for us ! 

I had taken the 2 ^i’ecautions to telegraph to Mrs. 
Walton, and Dora was at the station with the family 
carriage. My wife greeted her coolly, and leaned back 
amid the cushions. I sat on the front seat, and unseen 
by curious eyes, wrote a few lines upon a card and passed 
it to Dora, who answered with a gleam of intelligence. 

When we reached the house Elizabeth went straight 
to her room, and requested that her tea might be sent 
up. 1 explained that she had been a little ailing, but 
would probably be right in a few days. That evening 
the Vv^altons and I had a discussion on the whole busi- 
ness of wedding presents, and I was glad there were some 
honest souls who thought as I did on the matter. 

^‘Adolphus,” said Elizabeth, as I entered the room an 
hour or so later, I wish to state that the breach between 
us is final ! There are some things that even my forgiv- 
ing disposition cannot pardon. You have behaved in a 
ferocious and brutal manner, and my love for you has 
been cruelly crushed out of existence. For our child’s 
sake I will take no j)ublic steps ; we will not bruit abroad 
our marital infelicity. We will go on together — if it suits 
you, but henceforward we live separate lives. I will en- 
dure my disappointment, my utter mistake in you as 


OUR WEDDING GIFTS. 


213 


best I raa)^ I thought you a generous-minded, tender- 
hearted, considerate man. I believed I should be happier 
with you than any man I had ever met. You have 
proved sordid, tyrannical, utterly incapable of under- 
standing a woman’s heart. Perhaps — ” with a sigh, I 
ought not to blame you so severely when it is the fault 
of your nature, and when I find you no more capable of 
appreciation than a block of wood. I have forgiven 
many things, Adolphus, but this last insult is too much. 
Go, leave me ! Explain the matter to your friends as 
you best may.” 

Elizabeth, my dear — ” 

“ I shall never be Elizabeth to you again, Mr. Stry- 
ker,” she said, solemnly. I am not to bo coaxed, or 
cajoled, or bribed. Will you leave the room, or shall 
I ? ” and she rose majestically. 

I tried to reason. I made abject apologies. I plead 
and coaxed, but in vain. Elizabeth was as emotionless as 
a statue. Finally I left her — there was no other course 
except having an open row in another person’s house. 

The next day was terrible, I must admit. I think I 
could have stood hysterics better. Elizabeth was icy 
calm, scornfully polite, and kept me at arm’s length. 
When I retired the second night to my solitary couch, I 
almost wished I had let the wooden wedding take its 
own way. But it was too late. Did they come, I won- 
dered, armed to the teeth, with their gifts ? In spite 
of my misery I laughed. 

We returned home on Friday, for I began to think I 


214 


OUR WEB Dim GIFTS. 


could endure this kind of existence better in my own 
house. Elizabeth did not unbend an inch. Was this 
terrible state of affairs to last ? Had 1 offended her 
past redemption ? 

I cast a look into the dismal future. Always, it ap- 
peared, I must be the victim, in some shape or other, of 
those wedding gifts. What wonder I anathematized 
them ! And, finding the solitude unendurable, I resolved 
to spend my evenings writing this terrible warning to 
those of my sex about to commit matrimony. If I 
should save even one poor fellow from such a sad fate, I 
shall not have suffered in vain. I know I shall go down 
to my grave before my time, a sad wreck, a broken- 
hearted man, a martyr to principle evolved from a bitter 
and j)erplexing experience. I hope some kindly soul 
will give a sigh to my memory. 

P. S. — Jubilate ! I have made my peace with Eliza- 
beth. I am again a happy man. The price is, refurnish- 
ing our house when we move, in the spring ; giving my 
wife a new solid silver tea set, a velvet dress, and two 
new silks, and a new set of jewelry, and taking her to 
Saratoga next summer. I felt that it was a high price 
to pay, but, angel as she is, she agreed with me that, in 
the future, we would give nothing except from the 
purest friendship, have no eleemosynary weddings, nor 
charitable gatherings, that were to be returned fourfold. 

We expect that our next door neighbors for the com- 
ing year will be Mr. and Mrs. Harry Van Duyne. 

THE END. 


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